Christmas Images

We hope all of our readers and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful Christmas season. A beautiful wintery scene of Buckingham Palace was sent out on Buckingham Palace Shop emails this weekend. 

Below is an image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth recording the Christmas broadcast. On the desk you will see framed photos of the Queen with Prince Philip at their wedding in Westminster Abbey and another released to mark their 70th wedding anniversary. Birthday portraits of Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge are also featured.

Charlotte

Here is a close up photo of Princess Charlotte being driven to the Queen's Christmas lunch by her parents this week. 

Queen's Christmas Lunch 2017

The Queen's extended family turned out in force for Her Majesty's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The event is an opportunity for the Queen's cousins and their children and grandchildren to gather before the Queen heads to Sandringham House for the festive period. 

The Kents and Gloucesters as well as the late Princess Margaret's children Lady Sarah Chatto and David, Lord Snowdon attend each year. 


No doubt it was an opportunity for Prince Harry to introduce this fiancee Meghan Markle to many of his family. 

In earlier years, the Queen's cousins and families could be accomodated at Sandringham or Windsor. However as the generations have grown, the families use this lunch as a chance to catch up before going their own way. 

Charlotte Off To Nursery

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is to start at The Willcocks Nursery School next term. The school is located in Kensington not far from the family home at Kensington Palace and the Royal Albert Hall. 

Charlotte will attend the structured morning classes and will be introduced to alphabet, numeracy as well as art and crafts. Singing, poetry and free play also make up the timetable. Established in 1964, Willcocks is housed in the hall of Holy Trinity Church and takes children between 2 3/4 and 5 years.

The annual fees for Charlotte will be GBP 14550-.

As well as this long awaited news, the Cambridge family has released it's 2017 Christmas photo taken by Chris Jackson. It appears that the shot was taken in the Summer as George is wearing the same clothes as his birthday portrait and the Duchess had her pre-pregnancy figure.

Enjoy the photo!

 

George's Nativity Debut

Four year old Prince George of Cambridge started at Thomas's Battersea school in September. 

Dad Prince William has revealed that George played a sheep in the school nativity play earlier this month. All William would say was that it was "funny". 

The Duke can be seen below attending his own first nativity play in 1985 aged 3 1/2. 

This time next year Charlotte will have started nursery school and the Cambridge's will have welcomed a third child into the family. Here's hoping we soon get to see a new photo of the Duke, Duchess and their children in time for Christmas.

Kensington Palace

As a visitor to a number of Historic Royal Palaces properties this year and a subscriber to their e-newsletters, I received an email this morning. 

The email contained a Kensington Palace colouring in sheet for the young and young at heart. Enjoy!

Charlotte A Tennis Ace

Two year old Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is learning to play
tennis at an exclusive London club and it appears she has displayed a talent for the sport.

Charlotte's mother the Duchess of Cambridge is a tennis lover and is Patron of the All England Tennis Club which hosts Wimbledon each year. 

Previously it was revealed Prince George was learning to play tennis when the family was based at Anmer Hall, Norfolk. When Catherine and William renovated the property, a tennis court was one of the additions. 

However, some members of the Hurlingham Club in Fulham are upset that Charlotte has access to the facilities in breach of club rules. Neither the Duke or Duchess are members. 

A history of the club can be found here:
https://www.hurlinghamclub.org.uk/about-the-club/history/

Map of the Hurlingham Club

The Fulham Facility Where Charlotte Plays

George's Letter To Santa

Prince George has written a letter to Santa and it was hand delivered by his dad Prince William!

William is in Finland for an official visit and shook the hand of none other than Santa Claus himself. Four year old George had circled that he has been "nice" as opposed to "naughty" and that he would like a police car for Christmas.

The Duke of Cambridge used the opportunity to pass the letter on to Santa in person. No doubt George will be very excited!

As for the Cambridges, they are expected to spend the Christmas season at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on the Queen's Sandringham Estate. 

Her Majesty and the royal family will gather at Sandringham House for the festive period. The royals invite friends for shooting parties over the New Year break.