Though King Charles III introduced a number of new traditions for this year’s royal Christmas celebration, one thing remained the same: The family’s morning walk to Norfolk’s St. Mary Magdalene Church continued as it has for years, with Charles and Queen Camilla leading the charge.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Christmas Morning Service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2025 in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images
Kate Middleton, Prince William, and children Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, and Prince George also enjoyed the walk, which was observed on both sides by ardent fans, many bearing gifts. One such offering, a giant Lindor chocolate egg, thrilled the 7-year-old Louis, who snatched it from his father’s hands.
The 10-year-old princess was seen exiting St Mary Magdalene church on the royal Norfolk estate, wearing a new bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress in an oatmeal hue. The outerwear, which was made by her mother’s go-to British coat designer, featured a chocolate brown velvet collar to match the pockets, buttons, and cuffs in the same hue.
Princess Charlotte wore a Catherine Walker coat dress
Charlotte, who was seen walking with her father, Prince William, also wore the ‘Cap-Toe Ballet in Dark Cocoa’ by Tory Burch, as identified by Royal British Fashion on Instagram, and a pair of chocolate brown tights to match. Rounding off the look was an oversized bow in the princess’ hair.
Kate Middleton wore a similar look after officially launching the new RNLI’s lifeboat ‘Hereford Endeavour’ at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
The look may feel familiar to long-time fans of the British royal family, as it felt reminiscent of one worn by her mother, the Princess of Wales, over 14 years ago. On 24 February 2011, Kate Middleton (as she was known until her royal wedding on 29 April 2011) was seen in Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, where she and William attended the dedication of a new RNLI lifeboat during Kate’s first official engagement in Wales.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Princess Charlotte’s response to dad William as he calls her away from the crowds on Christmas Day 2025
For this outing, Kate wore a neutral wool coat dress by Katherine Hooker with a dark brown collar, cuffs, and pockets just like Charlotte’s. The soon-to-be royal bride also wore brown tights and slipped a deep red dress under her coat – just like Charlotte did on Christmas Day this year.
Kate and Charlotte’s lookalike moment
Though one was in February and one was in December, both Kate and Charlotte’s winter outfits prove the timeless appeal of a winter coat and brown tights. Brown is a hugely popular colour this season as it is a softer alternative to black that still looks put together.
Spot how Princess Charlotte wore a red dress like her mum did 14 years ago
Meanwhile, the wool used in both coats will always be a hit in the winter months as the fabric’s crimped fibres trap air, which keeps body heat in, a top priority for an outside engagement.
Oriona Robb, a luxury stylist with more than 20 years in the fashion industry, exclusively shared her tips with us for replicating the look if you are a mother with a young daughter.
The Princess of Wales wore a black hair bow to the Christmas lunch
“Choose bows that feel slightly oversized and tactile rather than tiny or rigid, as they photograph beautifully.
Keep hair styling relaxed; a simple half-up look with gentle waves feels polished without looking theatrical.
Remember, the goal is to make the bow a sweet finishing detail, not a costume, allowing children to move comfortably while still looking charmingly coordinated.”
“The ceremony will also highlight the stories of some of the assembly’s exceptional guests, who are leading by example and helping to create a more caring society,” the release continued. “This year, the evening will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms, whether it’s love within families, through friendships, between communities, or even through powerful moments of connection with strangers. In a world that can often seem fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all, across generations, communities, cultures, and beliefs. As we approach the Christmas season, we summon the power of solidarity [and that of] compassion, kindness, and joy.”
Since its launch in 2021 to pay tribute to all those who mobilized to help during the Covid-19 crisis, the “Together at Christmas” concert has honored special guests who have given back to their communities. Last year, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all attended the event with Princess Kate and their father, Prince William.
For the latest edition of the carol concert, the details extend beyond the ancient interior of the Abbey: a decorative creation will be installed in front of the building by botanist and horticulturist Jamie Butterworth. Inside, wreaths designed by the Royal Horticultural Society in partnership with British ambassadors and schoolchildren will be on display—a nice nod to the important place nature occupies in the princess’s life. Indeed, Kate has often spoken of how walks in the open air, in contact with flora and fauna, helped her during her treatment for and recovery from cancer.
Kate is also keen to pay tribute to the Duchess of Kent, who died in September at the age of 92. The memory of this important member of the royal family will be celebrated in music by the young members of the Future Talent association, which she co-founded to awaken and encourage the artistic talents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Katharine Worsley was herself a music teacher.
If reports are to be believed, Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children may move to their new “forever home” in Windsor in a matter of weeks—leaving the cosy confines of Adelaide Cottage behind. The family are relocating to a larger property, Forest Lodge, a historic Georgian mansion in a private section of Windsor Great Park which will be their primary residence for decades to come, even when William becomes King.
Despite this exciting new venture, the couple and their children will, no doubt, be sad to say goodbye to Adelaide Cottage—which has played host to many important moments for them over the years.
Prince William and Kate Middleton previously raised their family in London, living at Apartment 1A in the grounds of Kensington Palace. At the time of their relocation to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, sources close to the couple told the Daily Mail that it was intended “to test a new location and see if it worked for them as a family.” It didn’t hurt, of course, that Windsor Great Park was just a short drive from Lambrook, where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are currently all enrolled as pupils—and indeed, they soon settled into the candy pink cottage.
Originally built for Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV, in 1831, the home has been used by a number of monarchs. Queen Victoria often visited the cottage for breakfast or tea, and her dog, Dash, is buried in the gardens. Peter Townsend, who famously had a love affair with Princess Margaret, was another of Adelaide Cottage’s more notable residents—the pilot moved in with his wife and family in 1945 and remained there for the best part of a decade, although he battled against the “limited amenities” of the property. Townsend described the cottage as an “ice box” in the winter, as it only had two radiators: “In the drawing-room, surrounded by French windows, it was sometimes necessary to wrap up in an overcoat and scarf,” Townsend wrote in his memoir, Time and Chance.
Since then, the house has undergone a few renovations which have made it a little more comfortable—and somewhat grander. It’s said that the works completed in 2015 included a few lavish, decorative features, including gilded dolphins and rope ornamentation on the ceiling of the master bedroom, and a Greco-Egyptian marble fireplace. The historical architecture and original porch of Adelaide Cottage were preserved, however, as were the manicured gardens surrounding the property, which have remained almost untouched for nearly 200 years.
Kate Middleton has written an impassioned essay warning that smartphones and computers are a source of “constant distraction,” a plague that interrupts family life and threatens to make the next generation “the most isolated in history.”
The Princess of Wales—who shares children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis with husband Prince William—added that devices can prevent parents from fully engaging with their children, “withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have a strict no phone policy for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, pictured at Trooping the Colour in 2023
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The essay, written in collaboration with Professor Robert Waldingerfrom Harvard Medical School, was published Thursday on the website of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Children’s mental health and wellbeing have become a pillar of Kate’s royal work as she champions the importance of early childhood development.
But this is more than just an intellectual exercise for the Princess of Wales. Prince William recently revealed that none of their children is allowed a smart phone, as they encourage quality, screen-free family time at home.
The princess explains the rationale further in her new essay. “When we check our phones during conversations, scroll through social media during family dinners, or respond to e-mails while playing with our children, we’re not just being distracted we are withdrawing the basic form of love that human connection requires,” she writes.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are proud parents of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, raising them privately while allowing for appearances as a family of five as part of their service of the public. The small insights into how William and Kate, both 43, are raising their children with their shows of affection in public offer an indication of what goes on behind closed doors, and parenting expert and star of Supernanny, Jo Frost, is encouraged by what she sees.
“Parenting is no easy task, and when lived under the world’s gaze, the challenge magnifies tenfold. Yet in Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, I see not only future monarchs but devoted parents whose grounded approach provides reassurance for their family and inspiration for others,” Jo, 55, has said in a new comment on the royal couple.
Supernanny Jo Frost says Prince William and Princess Kate have a grounded parenting approach
“William and Catherine are more than partners in duty; they are parents in vision with complementary strengths. William carries the weight of history and responsibility but also the empathy of a man shaped by loss and scrutiny, wanting to get it right for his children,” she added. “He places emotional safety and stability at the heart of his parenting. Catherine pairs this with calm, centered, hands-on practicality. Her championing of early childhood development echoes my own mission, deeply personal and reflective of her home life.”
William and Kate’s teamwork in parenting
Jo went on to say that William and Kate embody a strength that balances one another and creates harmony and structure for their three children. “Despite their titles and difficulties of late, they remain grounded in everyday life, intentional in giving George, Charlotte, and Louis as normal a childhood as possible,” she said. “School runs, outdoor adventures, family routines, and their choice to keep their children off screens and social media remind their little ones that beyond the royal stage, they belong to a family rooted in love.”
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: The little ways Princess Charlotte is taking after her mum
Imperfect parenting
The parenting expert also said that the royal couple reminds those raising a young brood that children don’t need perfect parents. “They need presence. William and Catherine understand this. Their grounded approach speaks volumes,” Jo reflected. “Their parenting is not about privilege but responsibility. Their children learn that true leadership lies in service, kindness, and contribution.
Jo says their parenting is not about privilege but responsibility
“They model a life where titles matter less than integrity and where legacy is built not only through position but through compassion. The royal parents are indeed a dynamic duo, and in their hands, the future feels steady, compassionate, and hopeful, one full of promise for our young ones who will see them lead one day.”
The Wales family were last seen together attending a service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral
George, Charlotte, and Louis were last seen publicly together in August when they attended a church service with members of the royal family on the Balmoral estate. They have since gone back to school, so it remains unconfirmed when they will step out again with their parents on a royal engagement.
Over on The HELLO! Royal Club, HELLO! Royal Editor Emily Nash’s brilliant weekly newsletter asks just how far Prince William is planning to go with his ideas for the future of the monarchy, and why he decided to go public with them on a lighthearted travel show like The Reluctant Traveler? To read the post, simply click on the button below.
LISTEN: Prince William’s plans for the future and kids revelations
Prince William and Kate Middleton are looking forward to starting “a new chapter” when they move out of Adelaide Cottage and into Forest Lodge. Sources close to the couple say they want to leave the difficult memories of the past three years behind and “start afresh” when they move into the stunning eight-bedroom, six-bathroom home with a “ballroom” and tennis court, in Windsor Great Park later this year.
It is the family’s third move in as many years. In 2022, William, Kate and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, left London for Windsor, trading Kensington Palace for Adelaide Cottage. The four-bedroom house is too small for the family, and friends say the couple wants a change after a turbulent three years.
Sources close to the family say William and Catherine, who is in remission, are mapping out a long-term plan to stay in Windsor, where their three children are enrolled in school. Although the palace has not confirmed where Prince George will attend secondary school, William’s alma mater Eton College is on their short list and an easy commute from Forest Lodge.
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will stay at nearby prep school Lambrook School until they are eleven.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, accompanied by their parents the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a settling in afternoon at Lambrook School, near Ascot on September 7, 2022 in Bracknell, England.
Pool/Getty Images
Sources have told Vanity Fair that there will be no other changes to the couple’s living arrangements and that they will keep their Kensington Palace apartment as their official London residence as well as Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which was gifted to them by the late Queen as a wedding present.
William and Kate are said to be “future planning” for when they are King and Queen and will divide their lives between Windsor, Norfolk and London.
Three years after Kate Middleton and Prince William swapped their Kensington Palace residence for a main home on the Windsor Home Park estate, the family is moving again. Along with children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the Prince and Princess of Wales will soon leave their current abode of Adelaide Cottage for the nearby Forest Lodge, located in the Windsor Great Park.
The couple moved to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, motivated by a desire to escape the spotlight of Kensington Palace and to be closer to Queen Elizabeth’s Windsor Castle home.
“William and Kate have been talking to their close friends about leaving Kensington Palace, where they feel very overlooked,” a source told Vanity Fair nearly a year before the couple’s move. “It will remain their official London base, but they prefer being in the countryside and the commute to London would be very easy.”
While the four-bedroom cottage the couple settled on reportedly wasn’t their dream home, it appeared to be the best option at the time. “Finding a way to make Adelaide Cottage work seems to be the best and only option,” a source said at the time of their move. “There are issues with all the other houses, so Adelaide will be the favorite.”
But soon after the family started to unpack, things changed again. Queen Elizabeth died, just as Kate Middleton and Prince William landed in the dwelling. “It was not exactly the settling-in period they had hoped for,” a source said of that period in the Waleses’ lives.
Middleton announced that she was officially in remission earlier this year, while the king’s treatments are reportedly ongoing, both factors that likely impacted the Walses’ latest decision to move. (Less of a factor, it seems, is a recent security breach near their current home, nor a similar incursion the year before.)
Their home-to-be, the 328-year-old Forest Lodge, is currently undergoing minor renovations, the Independent reports, noting that “the royal couple are understood to be paying for the move and renovations themselves, avoiding any extra cost to the taxpayer.” According to planning applications filed in June with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, changes to the eight-bedroom structure include “new doors and windows, stripping out internal walls, renovated ceilings and new floors.”
The residence, which the king owns as part of the Crown Estate, was last renovated in 2001, records show, after which it was available to rent for £15,000 per month. The family plans to move into their new home in the near future, a Kensington Palace spokesperson confirms, saying “The Wales family will move house later this year.”
Princess Kate, an avid player herself, has been the patron of the All England Club since 2016. She’s presented Wimbledon’s finalists with their trophies for several years, but was absent for much of the 2024 competition due to her ongoing cancer treatments.
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte in the royal box on day fourteen of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024.
Mike Egerton – PA Images/Getty Images
Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, (back) and her daughter Britain’s Princess Charlotte of Wales (front) meet with Britain’s Emma Raducanu before attending the men’s singles final tennis match on the fourteenth day of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 14, 2024.
AARON CHOWN/Getty Images
Today’s match marks Middleton’s second public appearance of 2024, following a January surgery that revealed her more serious illness. We last saw the princess in June, when she attended the Trooping the Colour birthday celebration for King Charles III.
“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months,” Middleton said then. “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days, you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
The jaw-droppingly funded market has since collapsed, with many companies booted from the stock market, bankrupt, or worse. These days, you can still find the devices for rent in tourist-heavy cities and holiday destinations in the U.S. and elsewhere, and occasionally you’ll pass a privately owned one on the road—that is, if you’re in a city that hasn’t banned them from the streets.
In London, for example, the only electric scooters allowed on city streets are owned by rental companies participating in a tightly regulated trial. “It is still illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters or other powered transporters on public roads,” officials say.
All bets are off when the roads you’re scooting on are ones that you and your family own, however. So when Prince William was spotted by a social media user as he zoomed around the grounds of Windsor Castle, you needn’t worry that he was breaking the law: according to regional transit officials, the scooters—which as of late 2023 had “seriously injured” 22 people, per the BBC—are use at your own risk if ridden with a landowner’s permission, as William presumably has.
According to a report in the Sun from last year, William purchased the scooter in 2023 in an effort to make the 10-minute trip from Adelaide Cottage (where William lives with wife Kate Middleton and children Prince Louis, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte) to Windsor Castle less of a trek. The scooter, which reportedly can hit 10 miles per hour, “just makes sense,” an unnamed source told the Sun. “He whizzes up to the castle” when he needs to see his father, King Charles III.
“It’s a two or three-mile round trip from his family home at Adelaide Cottage to Windsor Castle, so it’s easier by scooter than car or walking,” the source reportedly said.
It’s unclear when the William on a scooter video was taken, and it’s equally unknown what make and model of scooter the prince has. What we do know is that Middleton likely prefers a scooter over his previous mode of solo travel, a high-powered motorcycle.
In 2015, the princess told well-wishers that “it always fills me with horror when” William would hop on his beloved bike. “I’m terrified,” she said of his easy-riding habit. Given Middleton’s challenging year, trading a hog for a scooter seems like a kind concession, regardless of the device’s brand or its past role as a hot-button issue.
Notes featuring the Queen’s portrait already made will still be put into circulation.
New notes will only be printed to replace worn banknotes and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes.
This is to reduce the environmental impact and save on costs.
On all current coins the Queen’s portrait faces the right, but Charles looks to the left because of a tradition that means the way the monarch faces must change with each new successor.
Rarest and most valuable Olympic Coins to look out for ahead of Paris 2024 worth upto £1,000 – exact details to spot
The most recent image of the Queen on coins is the fifth portrait, designed by Jody Clark.
It was issued in 2015 and shows a side profile of the Queen wearing a crown and drop earrings.
Meanwhile, on British notes, a similar image of the Queen has been in place since the 90s.
New coins and notes were made when the Queen’s father George VI, the former King of England, passed too.
When will coins and notes with the Queen’s face on end?
The current circulating designs will be discontinued and a new design that represents the new head of state will replace them.
But it won’t all happen straight away.
Any coins or notes you have on you now will still be legal tender for a while yet.
We don’t know exactly when each design will be removed from circulation.
There are around 27 billion coins currently circulating in the UK bearing the effigy of the Queen.
These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn, and to meet demand for additional coins.
When the Queen came to power though, coins with her father’s image stayed in circulation for almost 20 years after his death.
But they were removed when decimalisation was introduced in 1971.
Production of coins won’t abruptly stop either.
The Royal Mint manufactures between three million and four million coins a day, and it’s likely to continue with the production of the current portrait and design until the end of the year at least.
That means we won’t see any new styles crop up in change until 2024. The same goes for notes.
Notes went through a major style change when they changed from paper to plastic – and the slow process means some paper copies are still legal tender even now.
But bank notes are updated approximately every 15 years anyway, so it won’t be long before current designs disappear altogether.
What kind of value will current coins and notes hold?
As the currency with the Queen on will eventually cease to be produced altogether, they’ll be harder to come across.
That means collectors will be more desperate to snap up copies as they become rarer over time, with the new designs taking the lead in popularity and production.
Rarer coins and notes are often more valuable, and can sometimes sell for hundreds of pounds more than face value at auction – if the right bidder is interested.
What are the most rare and valuable coins?
Does it affect anyone outside the UK?
During her reign, the Queen was head of the Commonwealth, so that meant her portrait was used on plenty of other countries’ currency too.
The Queen appears on the Canadian $20 bill for example, as well as on the Australian dollar coin.
Now that Charles has taken over, these designs will also have to change just like coins and notes on our side of the pond.
According to The Coin Expert this will take longer than it will in this country though.
That’s because it is easier to enforce a new design in the country it originates from rather than elsewhere, where other rules may get in the way.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Princess Charlotte, the second child of Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, is celebrating her 9th birthday.
Kensington Palace on Thursday released a new photo taken by Kate in Windsor in the last few days, according to the palace.
The photo was shared on social media with the caption, “Happy 9th Birthday, Princess Charlotte! Thank you for all the kind messages today.”
Charlotte was born May 2, 2015. The young royal made her public debut just hours after her birth at St. Mary’s Hospital in London.
Her full name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is a tribute to her late great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and late grandmother Princess Diana.
She is the only daughter of William and Kate, who also have two sons, Princes George, 10, and Louis, who turned 6 last week.
Charlotte is expected to spend her 9th birthday privately with her family in Windsor, where they now live.
In an interview several months after Charlotte’s birth, Kate spoke about how excited family members, including the late queen, were to have a girl join the family.
“The queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl, and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington, she was one of our first visitors here,” Kate said in an interview with ITV in 2016.
“It’s very special having a new little girl,” she added. “I feel very, very lucky that George has got a little sister.”
As she has grown older, Charlotte has made more public appearances with her parents and her brothers.
In 2022, she attended one of her first royal engagements with her parents, joining William, Kate and George on a visit to Cardiff Castle during Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebration.
Both she and George joined William and Kate for the queen’s funeral later that year. Charlotte wore a horseshoe brooch to the funeral, a gift from Elizabeth, who had a love of horses.
The next year, Charlotte was joined by her two brothers George and Louis at the coronation for their grandfather King Charles III at Westminster Abbey.
Charlotte’s most recent public appearance was in December, when she joined her family on their traditional walk to the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
The family has remained mostly out of the public eye since then.
PRINCESS Charlotte has won the hearts of royal fans around the globe thanks to her adorable personality and stylish looks.
The sassy and lovable youngster – now aged nine – may be the Prince and Princess of Wales’ only daughter, but she certainly holds her own around brothers.
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Princess Charlotte has captured the nation with her sweet appearancesCredit: Reuters
From nailing her own little royal wave to delighting fans with her funny sayings, Princess Charlotte often steals the show.
Both Charlotte and the Princess of Wales opted for ivory silk crepe Alexander McQueen dresses for the celebration that had a subtle nod to the United Kingdom in the embroidery.
Their stylish dresses included rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs to symbolise the four nations; England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Royal watchers loved for this adorable snapCredit: Getty
Fans of the Royal Family were sent into swoon overdrive with Princess Charlotte’s adorable gesture towards her older brother Prince George on their first royal engagement in Cardiff.
The regal children were accompanied by their parents Prince William and Kate as they met with performers in a Platinum Jubilee concert at Cardiff Castle.
The royal family released a sweet photo of Princess Charlotte gently cradling a brightly-coloured butterfly, as she took part in the Big Butterfly Count in Norfolk.
Mum Kate shared the photos to encourage other families to take part too.
It was announced that after much speculation that Meghan would not have a maid of honour at her wedding, and just had her little bridesmaids and page boys.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said at the time: “She has a very close-knit group of friends and did not want to choose one over the other.”
May 2, 2018
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Charlotte’s third birthday was marked with this sweet snapCredit: Handout – Getty
On Princess Charlotte’s third birthday, Kate snapped this adorable shot of her with younger brother Prince Louis.
The sweet tradition of introducing the latest member of the Royal Family started back in 1948 when the Queen and her husband Prince Philip presented a then-Prince Charles to the world.
How old is Princess Charlotte and when is her birthday?
Time and time again, Kate Middleton and Prince William have stressed how important it is to them to give their kids as normal a childhood as possible, despite their unique stations in life as the second, third, and fourth in line for the throne. The Princess of Wales took her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis along with her in November to spend an evening volunteering at a baby bank in Maidenhead, Berkshire, not far from the family’s residence in Windsor.
The group engaged in the time-honored tradition of giving back to the community during the holiday season, packing pajamas for children whose lives have been impacted by poverty, as well as assembling holiday gift bags for the families helped by the baby bank.
In a video released by Kensington Palace, Kate, George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and Louis, 5, unload boxes of clothing from their car and bring them into the group’s building during the under the radar visit.
“Here there’s lots of people who give up their time and there’s lots of volunteers who help out, and so you’re the volunteers for this evening,” Kate tells her children. The Wales children also got to choose toys to pack into gift bags for kids their age, with Louis delighting in a large King Kong action figure and exclaiming, “This is a big guy!”
Charlotte, too, looked excited as she held up a onesie decorated with the Welsh flag and declared, “this is Welsh.”
Kate’s signature social issue as a royal has been the importance of early childhood. Many of her public engagements revolve around her Shaping Us initiative, and last week, during the taping of her annual carol concert, Together at Christmas, she invited home health workers and preschool teachers, among other early childhood professionals, to be in the audience as a thank you for their work.
“A White Shirt, Jeans, and Black Flats Is Summer’s Most-Wanted Look,” Vogue declared a few months ago, but it looks like that sensation didn’t end just because the season did. A new photo of one of the world’s most-watched families shows them embracing the classic trend, in a scene that seems straight out of a 1990s fashion spread.
Prince William and Kate Middleton released the photo via social media Saturday night, the family’s Christmas card for 2023. In the black-and-white shot, the 41-year-old couple poses with children Prince George (age 10), Princess Charlotte (age eight), and Prince Louis (age five).
The photo, by fashion photographer Josh Sinner, was taken earlier this year in Windsor, in what appears to be a studio setting, People notes. According to a Kensington Palace spokesperson, “The Prince and Princess saw Josh’s work and wanted to capture a memorable family portrait,” the Telegraph reports.
All five are dressed similarly, but not matchy-matchy in a creepy, uniform way. All are wearing classic button-down shirts, Kate and Charlotte are in jeans, William and George donned dark-colored slacks, and Louis—ever the rebel—appears in shorts. The only visible designer comes from a logo on George’s chest: Ralph Lauren’s iconic polo horse and rider, a mainstay of the 1990s-era American style.
The card is already drawing comparisons toKing Charles and Princess Diana’s holiday card from 1992, in which William and Prince Harryposed in similar garb, in front of an almost identical backdrop. Telegraph fashion editor Bethan Holt sees a message in the image, writing that “beneath the surface, it’s full of references to a happier period in William’s relationship with his brother and mother.”
But to other pundits, it’s more a throwback to 1990s style. “Sinner’s photograph is the Americanization of the Waleses,” Hikmat Mohammedwrites for WWD, “with a mix of ’90s JC Penney catalog with Calvin Klein’s Eternity campaigns.”
But to this correspondent’s eye, its preppy style and color-drained setting captures the glory days of now-flagging mall standby The Gap, specifically its 1992 campaigns with photos from artists such as Annie Leibovitz and Stephen Meisel. While that ad push featured heartthrobs like actor John Corbett, hip-hop duo Kriss Kross, and model Naomi Campbell, the vibe is similar: a direct gaze, deceptively casual pose, and a timeless, risk-free look.
SHE may only be eight years old but Princess Charlotte is already a style icon thanks to her super stylish mum adding stunning pieces to her child’s closet.
Her must-have outfits are adored by many, with parents around the world rushing to snap up her royal style for their own children – from the designers behind the popular pieces to the price tags that come with them, here’s everything you need to know.
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From being a tot Princess Charlotte’s dresses have been adored by manyCredit: Getty – Contributor
Who designs Prince Charlotte’s dresses and where do they come from?
Both Charlotte and Kate opted for ivory silk crepe Alexander McQueen dresses for the celebration, which had a subtle nod to the United Kingdom in the embroidery.
Their delightful dresses were paired with matching Jess Collet x Alexander McQueen headpieces, with silver bullion, crystal, and silver thread work three-dimensional leaf embroidery.
Read More on Princess Charlotte
The royal youngster also wears items from high-street favourites like John Lewis, Next, and Zara.
Princess Charlotte was seen wearing the same dress back in May of that year.
Other brands and designers the princess sports include Rachel Riley and Trotters – with the latter being a brand she opted to wear during her eighth birthday.
Most Read on The Royal Family
What’s Princess Charlotte’s style?
Since being just a few months old, Princess Charlotte’s traditional floral dresses have become something of a signature style.
Often with short puffed sleeves, many of her dresses have usually included a collar.
The little princess often has a bow in her hair, matching the colour of her outfit, with a coordinating pair of tights if the weather is cold.
How much do her outfits cost?
When it comes to Princess Charlotte’s outfits, the price tags vary.
The more luxury labels come at a higher cost and are worn for royal occasions.
However, some other pieces Charlotte has sported come at a more affordable cost.
One example is the £39 navy Breton striped jersey dress Charlotte wore on a day out at the Commonwealth Games which quickly sold out in 24 hours, with designer Rachel setting up a highly-anticipated waiting list for the frock.
Another example is the £45 Little Alice London Periwinkle dress she donned as she made her way into the Lindo Wing in 2018 to meet her new sibling – and this style stable was also adored by many, with the floral blue dress selling out not long after the youngster was spotted wearing it.
Mum Katy Clee, who opted to splash the cash so her daughter could experience the royal treatment explained: “When Kate had Charlotte I decided to give Poppy’s wardrobe a royal makeover.’’
Like Kate, she favours ones with hand-embroidered and intricately smocked tops and Peter Pan collars.
She also likes cardigans, hair bows, knee-high socks and traditional leather shoes.
As well as winning the hearts of royal fans around the world with her stylish looks, Princess Charlotte is also known for her adorable personality.
The sassy loveable youngster’s most adorable moments captured on camera can be found right here – from her first day at school to sweet family snaps.
A Norland trainee nanny in formal uniform. Graduates are not expected to wear their uniform once they start working for a family, unless requested for a special occasion.
Norland College
A small college in the historic city of Bath, U.K., is the place Britain’s royal family calls when they need child care.
Norland, which was founded more than 130 years ago, puts candidates through a four-year academic and practical training program where they spend around 1,300 hours caring for young children and newborns.
At the christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge in 2015 — the second child of the Prince and Princess of Wales — nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo was photographed in a formal Norland uniform, speaking to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Norland nannies — who earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education and care, plus a diploma when they complete a year as a probationary nanny — are highly sought after and well paid. For every nanny who graduates, there are around 8 to 10 permanent jobs available via the Norland Agency.
Norlanders, as they are known after graduating, usually prefer to be known publicly by only their first names to protect the identities of the children in their care, as well as their employers.
But while training, they’re noticeable to residents of Bath thanks to their formal, brown uniforms — which have been likened to what Mary Poppins wore — a dress and hat for women, a suit for men, and a gender neutral option of trousers or a dress with a tweed jacket.
Alice, a Norland nanny who was raised in Bath, used to see the uniformed students on the bus when she was in high school, but at the time had “no idea” who they were, she told CNBC by phone. Knowing that she wanted to work with children, Alice explored teaching via a school internship, but felt a less structured setting would better suit her.
Students at Norland College, whose uniform has been likened to Mary Poppins’ outfit.
Norland College
“I just felt like I could give those children so much one-on-one time to develop … to find their excitement for life [and] follow their interests,” she told CNBC.
Norland was established in 1892 by educator Emily Ward, who leaned on the teachings of Friedrich Fröbel, a pioneer in early childhood education who introduced the concept of the kindergarten and focused on the idea of the child as an individual with unique needs and abilities.
“You are learning everything there possibly is to know about childcare,” Alice said. “The degree is focusing heavily on the psychology of children and their learning, and the diploma is everything practical that you could experience in the family home,” she added. The program also includes practical learning outside a home, such as how to control a car in poor or dangerous conditions.
After graduation, a live-in Norland nanny working around 60 hours a week with one to two years of experience can expect to earn up to £41,500 (around $50,000) in London, according to Norland’s website, while a nanny with eight or more years’ experience working outside the U.K. can earn up to £124,000.
Alice has more than a decade’s experience as a nanny, starting her a career with a military family in the U.K., where the father was deployed in Afghanistan.
Her longest role was in New York City, where she looked after a girl and her twin siblings for nine years, starting her job when the twins were 18 months old and the girl was three. Their parents worked in real estate, and Alice was in sole charge of the children from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.
“One really, really important tip for any … parent is every child is different and grows and learns at different speeds,” Alice told CNBC.
Norland nannies complete more than 1,300 hours of child care during their training.
Norland College
“It’s very easy, especially for a first-time parent with a baby to think oh, well, my baby isn’t crawling yet. Why are all of these other mums telling me that their baby is crawling?” she said.
“But one child who isn’t crawling might be able to build a tower of blocks sitting up,” she added.
“Don’t compare other babies, just go with what works for you to keep the child happy and healthy,” she said.
Sleep is an obvious concern for carers of small children, who nap at various times of day. Alice is currently looking after a 10-month-old girl, an age where sleep regression — when a child has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep — is common, she said.
“If they’re not getting enough sleep in the day, they’re probably not going to be sleeping at night.”
Every child will have a different sleep routine, and Alice recommends a consistent approach to comforting a crying baby. “What I would always say is, go in, ‘shhh’ them, put your hand on their tummy to let them know you’re there, but try not to speak to them,” she said.
Prince George’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, in a formal Norland uniform, talks to Queen Elizabeth II at the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on July 5, 2015.
Chris Jackson | Getty Images
“Babies are like adults who wake up in the night. Most of the time we go straight back to sleep. But sometimes, you just can’t get back to sleep. And that’s so frustrating for us as adults, let alone as babies [for whom] the only communication … is crying,” she said.
Alice described her role for a child having a tantrum as a “safe space.” “I’m on the floor around them … to give them some comfort while they’re going through it,” she said.
“With a child who has started to communicate verbally, they don’t want to listen to what you have to say, that’s not the right time to be talking about it,” she said. Instead, she suggested, speak to them afterward, when they’re in a better frame of mind.
If a child is doing something you don’t want them to do, consider “redirecting behaviors,” Alice said.
“If they are throwing a ball at the wall, and you really don’t want them to be marking the wall … [you can say], ‘why don’t we play a game of who can get this ball in the saucepan?’” she said.
“Redirecting the same behaviors instead of a constant ‘no, don’t do that,’ I have found in my experience, children will respond much better to,” Alice said.
Making sure you respond to children regardless of their behavior is also important.
If you’re cooking dinner and a child wants to play, “You can say, ‘give me five minutes and let’s throw the ball in the saucepan.’ … That might not necessarily work the first time, but they will know that you will always come back to them,” Alice said.
“If you’re not giving them the attention elsewhere, but you are giving it when you don’t like them doing something, they’re going to really focus on those behaviors,” she added.
Norland students have a practical uniform for child-care activities.
Norland College
If you have a child who refuses to get dressed, let them choose their outfits.
“That gives them the feeling of control,” Alice said. “But really, you’re you’re saying [these are] the warm weather outfits that you can wear, so you’re keeping them safe, while so allowing them to be in control,” she added.
If a child’s behavior is dangerous or harmful, such as if a toddler attempts to bite another child, try to understand that this comes from “frustration, or it’s curiosity,” Alice said. Ask “How do you think that made this other child feel when you bit him?”
“They don’t necessarily have the words to say how that made them feel. But then you say … I think that probably made him really sad, that probably really hurt him, I don’t think you would like it,” she said.
Also suggest that if they feel like biting again, say, “Maybe let’s get an apple that you can bite into or a pillow or a block.”
“I don’t really like to label a child as ‘naughty’,” Alice said, and she doesn’t use the “naughty step” as a punishment for little children or send an older child to their room.
“If they are in that moment where they just cannot regulate their emotions, you say, right, I understand you’re upset. I’m going to do something else. When you’ve had time to calm yourself down … we can talk,” she said.
Other tips include being consistent and as good as your word.
Time on devices such as iPads can be negotiated by setting limits or allowing only educational games, Alice said.
To limit screen time, say “Sorry, we can’t do that today. Let me plan some time for tomorrow,” Alice suggested, or “Why don’t you play that game for five minutes and then we will turn it off.”
Settling a child into school is often done gradually, with shorter days to start with. Reassure them that they will make friends there, and try to have playdates with classmates before school starts, Alice said.
“Maybe find out what they’re doing on the first day, so you can say [for example]: ‘Let me know how the painting goes when I pick you up. I can’t wait to hear about this.’”
Alice also said to do something fun after their first day or week at school, like going to a favorite playground or to a movie they’d like to see.
Alice acknowledged that being a nanny is different from being a working parent. “You have much more patience because it’s your job,” she said of her role.
Back in 2016, Prince William and Princess Kate took their son Prince George, soon to turn three, on a trip to the Royal International Air Tattoo, a military air show. During that trip, the loud noises overwhelmed the young prince, and he was photographed crying before being outfitted with a pair of ear protectors. On Friday, one week before George’s 10th birthday, the trio returned to the air show along with Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and this time around the family smiled as they toured historic planes and even got to climb aboard a C17 cargo transport aircraft.
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The return trip was a sign of how the family has changed as William and Kate have been turning their focus to royal duties after a decade spent putting their children first. For years, appearances by the youngest royals were rare, but as they have aged, their presence has become more constant. Charlotte and Louis are the ones who tend to attract the attention of the cameras on their engagements, and George has long seemed more reserved. But a family friend told People that the heir to the throne is also full of personality. “He’s a cracking lad,” the friend added.
Children’s designer Amaia Arrieta, who has dressed all three Wales children in the past, told the magazine that he is becoming more comfortable in public. “I think George knows the drill by now,” she said. “You can see he’s really grown into it and looks more relaxed than ever.” She added that he is “really sporty,” and his parents have encouraged him to play sports from an early age.
For the last year, George, Charlotte, and Louis were all students at the Lambrook School in Berkshire. Late last month, George and Kate were seen taking a tour of Eton College, the prestigious Windsor boarding school where William and Prince Harry attended school in the 1990s. Students don’t enroll at Eton until they turn 13, but they must register for admission during the school year that they turn 10.
James Middleton—noted beekeeper, dog lover, mental health advocate, and brother of Princess Kate—made a major announcement on Instagram Wednesday. After two years of marriage, he and wife Alizée Thevenet are expecting a child.
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Naturally, Middleton worked his dog Mable into the announcement. “We couldn’t be more excited,” he captioned a photo of Thevenet playing with one of the couple’s six dogs. “Well, Mable might be.” He also mentioned the recent loss of his cocker spaniel, Ella, who died in January. “It was a very difficult start to the year after losing my beloved Ella. However, we will end the year with the most precious little addition to our growing family.”
On the account for the healthy pet food company he named after Ella, he added, “We have a new member of the pack coming soon, we couldn’t be more excited.”
Thevenet and Middleton started dating in 2018 and tied the knot in a small Cote d’Azur ceremony in September 2021. The new Middleton will be the seventh grandchild born to Carole and Michael Middleton, and will be a first cousin to Kate’s children with Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis and Pippa Middleton Matthew’s three children with her husband James Matthews, Arthur, Grace, and Rose.
In a recent interview with OK! Magazine, James praised his sister for her work promoting early childhood education, and shared a few thoughts on what he thinks about a child’s earliest years. “The things you know in your early childhood that you might not mentally remember—emotionally and physically you can remember them but they stay with you because you’re told them and you build on them,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
The pic also features a sweet connection to William’s late grandmother: the bench upon which he and his children are seated was a gift to the Queen to mark her 90th birthday, presented to her by then-First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon.
This is the venue for the photoshoot. It overlooks the lake at Frogmore and was given to Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her diamond jubilee. The bench on which they are sitting commemorates HM’s 90th birthday. pic.twitter.com/OaMhZPhpaF
— Majesty & Joe Little (@MajestyMagazine) June 17, 2023
