The Prince of Wales revealed what he is expecting from his busy Royal Christmas get together as he spread festive joy and delivered Christmas gifts to youngsters and their families at a seasonal bash. At 42, William, who is the colonel-in-chief, mingled with the troops at the bash organised for the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment and their kin at Picton Barracks, Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, engaging in light-hearted banter over a cordial lunch.
On arrival, he was welcomed by Private Derby the ram, an 18-month-old regimental mascot, whereupon being briefed that the Swaleside ram has been the 33rd since 1858, he remarked: “I can see you are holding on tightly, he looks fantastic, very smart.”
Learning that the mascot was headed for a festive season among a field of ewes, William quipped: “So he has quite a fun Christmas. Oh good luck to him.”
Inside the sergeants’ mess, he shared laughs and exchanged pleasantries across ten tables filled with service members and their offspring. One of the children, 10 year old Karson Heighway, presented Wills with a post-it note sketch of the prince. William’s reaction to the caricature was humorous, “Is that me? ” and he humorously added: “Looks like I have five nostrils.”
However, he appeared appreciative enough to tuck the drawing into his pocket.
The Mercian Regiment, primarily composed of individuals from the Midlands, saw the Christmas party buzz with football supporters cheering for teams like Stoke, West Brom, Wolves, and Aston Villa.
William encountered Donald Trump in Paris at the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening ceremony and has expressed that he’ll be catching Villa’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig from the comfort of his home, mentioning, “I was trying to get to the game but have got a lot of things going on.”
He disclosed his Royal Family’s Christmas plans, including picturesque treks with the family dog while staying in Norfolk for the holidays, confessing, “Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready.”
However, he also shared excitement about celebrating Christmas with an impressive gathering of 45 family members, adding: “We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We’ll be 45 for Christmas.” Before making an eight-word comment many Brits will be able to relate to, as he said: “It won’t be quiet, it will be noisy.”
Engaging with five year old Alexander Fitzgerald during a festive event, William was told by Alexander’s dad, Sgt Lee Fitzgerald, that his son wished for a Nintendo Switch and hoped to play Mario Kart, prompting William to share that sometimes dads should be allowed to win.
At this festive gathering, all military personnel and their families donned Christmas jumpers. William received a Santa hat and a holiday card for George, Charlotte, and Louis from siblings Isobelle McNeil, aged ten, and her younger brother Hunter, five.
Their mother, Fiona Dewar McNeil, recounted, “William asked what Father Christmas was going to bring for him and Hunter said he was going to get a big Tyrannosaurus Rex. He said ‘I hope all your dreams come true’.”
Seven year old Sanganoo Kejhan presented Prince William with a handmade Christmas card during his visit. The young Dylan Potter, aged 14, shared a humorous moment with the Duke after showing him that he was wearing not one, but two Christmas jumpers, eliciting laughter.
Reflecting on the encounter afterward, Dylan said: “I asked what does a prince do for fun? He said he likes watching movies and hanging out with his children but because he is over 40 finds fun hard to come by.”
Prince William also disclosed to family gatherings that he and Kate have recently enjoyed Netflix shows, including ‘Black Doves’ featuring Kiera Knightly. Yet despite the festive spirit, the future king turned down the opportunity to wear a Santa hat and admitted not owning a Christmas jumper.
While playfully gesturing towards himself, he remarked, “Some people don’t own one.”
He humorously blamed his lack of festive attire on his new equerry, Squadron Leader Mike Reynolds, quipping, “I didn’t know, you see that guy in the jacket, it’s his fault and I will be having a word.”
As he engaged with families at the event, he wished them a peaceful Christmas. Later, he jokingly referenced the rapid pace at which he was meeting guests: “Ten tables, it’s like I’m speed dating.”
In addition to conversations and jokes, Prince William was serenaded by a Fijian choir formed of soldiers from the Mercian Regiment.