Finding the perfect Christmas gift for a princess, especially one as stylish as Princess Kate, can be quite the challenge, and even Prince William took some time to master the art.
The royal couple, known for their thoughtful exchanges, likely shared lovely presents at their annual Sandringham gathering this year. However, during the early stages of their romance, William‘s confidence in his present-picking skills was somewhat shaky.
One particular gaffe left Kate baffled, prompting her to promise she’d “never let him forget it” as reported by the Mirror. William shared the story of the peculiar gift on Peter Crouch’s podcast on BBC Radio Five Live.
While discussing gifts with the former England footballer, who admitted to buying his wife Abbey Clancy a raincoat three times for her birthday, William confessed: “I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once – she’s never let me forget that. That was early on in the courtship that was – I think that sealed the deal. It didn’t go well. Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars, it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
It’s common knowledge that the royals don’t indulge in lavish or flashy gifts for Christmas, preferring instead to exchange whimsical, joke presents.
Reflecting their Germanic heritage, they also partake in traditions unfamiliar to many in the UK, such as swapping gifts on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day.
On Christmas Eve, it’s believed that the Royal Family has a tradition where each person discreetly places their presents in the afternoon, eagerly anticipating 6 pm when they can start opening them. Before the gift exchange commences, everyone’s presents are arranged into separate piles.
For many years, the late Prince Philip would oversee the unwrapping, signalling when someone could begin. Among the more notable gifts over the years was a cheeky bath hat given to the Queen by Prince Harry with the inscription: ‘Ain’t life a b*tch’.
In a humorous gesture, Kate once gave Harry a ‘grow-your-own-girlfriend kit’ during a festive season marked by his well-publicised love life.
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This year’s Christmas is particularly poignant for the royals as they come together following a challenging period. King Charles is currently receiving cancer treatment, and Princess Kate revealed in September that she had completed her preventative chemotherapy.
In a heartfelt letter to attendees of her annual Christmas concert, Kate expressed her fondness for the holiday season, stating: “Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.”
She continued, “It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about. The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences.”
Kate added: “Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. The love we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving and love that brings joy and hope.
“It is this love which is the greatest gift we can receive. Not just at Christmas but every day of our lives. Love something we can offer one another. Gentle words or a receptive car, an arm around an exhausted the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”
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