George & Charlotte Back to School

The Easter weekend marks the end of the month long Easter break for Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

Much of the holiday has been spent at the Cambridges' home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall. The property on the Queen's Sandringham Estate is the family's "bolthole" where they have total privacy and spent much of the children's early years before formally moving to London in 2017.

The property has a tennis court, vegetable gardens and beautiful country to play in, just as the Duchess of Cambridge did, growing up in the Berkshire countryside. The family have a cocker spaniel, Lupo and at one stage a guinea pig named Marvin. 

Both George and Charlotte are learning to ride ponies and Charlotte has tennis lessons when in London. 

During the break the Duke and Duchess and the older children attended Burnham Horse Trials to watch William's cousin Zara Tindall ( also George's godmother) compete. 

So now it is back to London where George attends Thomas's Battersea and Charlotte goes to Willcocks Nursery School close to Royal Albert Hall in Kensington. Charlotte will celebrate her 4th birthday in early May and will start "big school" after the long Summer break.

But for now the focus is on little Prince Louis who turns 1 on 23rd April. Happy Birthday to Louis. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of the readers of this Royal Children blog.  

Catherine, Charlotte and George were spotted at The Range discount store in Kings Lynn a few days ago. Members of the public saw them in the arts and craft and toy sections. Nice to know we aren't the only ones doing last minute shopping!

The Cambridge's country home Anmer Hall is on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The royal family will celebrate Christmas in Sandringham House ( pictured) over the coming days.

2018 has been a big year for the Cambridge family- welcoming baby Louis in April and Charlotte starting nursery school in January.

The Sussexes will feature more often now that a baby is on the way in the (early?) northern spring. Of course the wedding of Harry and Meghan, an Australasian royal tour and a pregnancy have kept their heads spinning I'm sure. Now a move to their first family home, Frogmore Cottage soon.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas with those you love. 

Christmas At Kensington

Now that December has arrived and officially Winter has begun, "it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas"!

Kensington Palace has special movie nights near the Orangery and Historic Royal Palaces has posted some lovely Christmas-y photos on their website. 

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are learning Christmas carols at school and nursery and am pretty sure craft and art time will have a Santa theme. 

Where the Cambridge family will spend Christmas is still unknown- either at their Anmer Hall home on the Sandringham Estate where the royal family will gather or at the Middleton home in Berkshire. 

As well as little Prince Louis who was born in April, the Middletons have another new grandchild this year. Catherine's sister Pippa gave birth to a boy named Arthur in mid October. 

Back To School For George & Charlotte

As with millions of other families, the Cambridges will be busy this week organising their children for a return to school after the summer break.

Prince George, 5, will be starting year one at Thomas's Battersea on Thursday. Although he attended Reception last year and will keep the same friends, George will have a new teacher and classroom as well as more advanced work to adjust to.

Princess Charlotte, 3, started at Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington in January. She will return to her routine on Wednesday.

The royal youngsters have had a wonderful summer break with baby brother Louis and mum and dad Catherine and William.

The family of five first celebrated Louis's baptism on 9th July and the following day the children watched the RAF Centenary flypast from a Buckingham Palace window while the adults stood on the balcony.

Mustique in the Caribbean was the venue for a beach holiday with their grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton. It was here George celebrated his birthday.

Then the family spent a large amount of time at their country residence, Amner Hall on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Amner allows the children to run and play in privacy as well as enjoy the property's tennis court.

Towards the end of the holiday the Duke and Duchess and children headed to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to visit the Queen and Prince Philip. Here George took part in his first grouse shoot which is quite a milestone for a royal youngster. 

All in all a lovely holiday before school begins again.

Happy 3rd Birthday Charlotte

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge was born at St. Mary's Hospital, London on 2nd May, 2015.

Charlotte is the only daughter and second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Catherine and William's firstborn, Prince George arrived in 2013. 

Baby Charlotte was christened on 5th July, 2015 at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham. It is the same place her paternal grandmother the Hon. Diana Spencer was christened in 1961.

The young princess has spent most of her early years between Anmer Hall in Norfolk and the family's home Apartment 1A, Kensington Palace. She has been on two royal tours- Canada in 2016 and Poland and Germany in 2017. 

In January Charlotte commenced preschool at Willcocks Nursery School in Kensington. The princess also learns tennis at the Hurlingham Club, has shown an interest in horseriding and is learning some Spanish from her nanny Maria Teresa Borrallo.

George and Charlotte were joined by baby brother Prince Louis Arthur Charles last week- 23rd April. 

Her next big outing will be at uncle Prince Harry's wedding to Ms Meghan Markle on 19th of May.

Happy Birthday Princess Charlotte!

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. 

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. 

George & Charlotte To Spend Christmas With Middleton Family

According to Hello magazine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children will spend Christmas Day with Catherine's family in Berkshire.

Since their marriage, this will only be the second time Catherine and William have spent Christmas Day away from the Royal Family. The first time was in 2012 when the Duchess was suffering extreme morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy with Prince George.

The Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire will be filled with the excitement of young children opening their presents from Santa on Christmas Day. 

Catherine's sister Pippa is to be married next May and no doubt the sisters will be looking at the plans for the big day. 

It is expected that the Cambridge family will return to Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate to spend some of the season with The Queen, William's father the Prince of Wales and brother Prince Harry.

Hopefully we will see a new photo of George and Charlotte released soon for Christmas.

Christmas For The Cambridges

George Christmas 2014

It is now less than two weeks until Christmas and the Cambridge Family will once again head to their Norfolk home Amner Hall. Amner is on the Queen's Sandringham Estate where the Royal Family spend the festive season. 

For the past two years the Duchess of Cambridge's family, the Middletons have stayed at Amner Hall and so the young children have been able to see both sides of the family. 

Prince George, now 3, will be excited by the prospect of Santa Claus delivering presents. Princess Charlotte at nineteen months will be able to show her excitement for the first time. 

Two years ago, when expecting her second child, Catherine took George to see London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Not long after, the duo were joined by William for a visit to Thursford's Santa's Magical Journey not far from Amner Hall. It will be interesting to see where the family visits Santa this year.

Cambridges 2015

Before Christmas, The Queen hosts a lunch at Buckingham Palace for the extended Royal Family including the Kent and Gloucester families. The late Princess Margaret's children and grandchildren are also invited. The lunch makes sure all the relatives celebrate Christmas together. The Queen and Prince Philip then catch a scheduled train to King's Lynn in Norfolk for their winter break. 


Before Catherine, William and Harry depart for Norfolk they have a Volunteer Christmas Party to attend for Heads Together:

The Duke, Duchess, Prince Harry and @heads_together have been invited to join @TheMixUK Volunteer Christmas Party on 19 Dec. pic.twitter.com/GVevOJbAS0

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 6, 2016

Happy 1st Birthday Charlotte

On the 2nd May 2015, Princess Charlotte was born in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. The same birth place as her brother George, father William and uncle Harry.

The baby girl was the second child and first daughter for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

Almost two weeks overdue, Catherine had gone into labour at Kensington Palace the evening before. Just after 6am, the Duchess was admitted to hospital and at 8.34am, the princess was born weighing 8lb 3oz.

During the afternoon Prince William went to Kensington Palace to collect Prince George and take him to the hospital to meet his new baby sister. By all accounts the introduction went well. 

Later George was taken home by his nanny and just after 6.10pm the Duke and Duchess left hospital with their beautiful new daughter who was 4th in line to the throne. The family retired to Kensington Palace for a few days where the baby was met by her grandparents and the Queen. 

The princess was officially named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Charlotte is thought to be the feminine version of Charles, her paternal grandfather. Elizabeth in honour of the Queen and the late Queen Mother. Diana is a touching nod to the baby's paternal grandmother, the Princess of Wales who passed away in 1997. 

The Cambridge family decamped to their country home Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate to begin their new life as a family of four in the relative privacy and quiet away from London. 

Charlotte was Christened on July 5th at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham. It is the same venue for the Christening of her late grandmother Diana who also lived on the Sandringham Estate at Park House when she was a child.

Portraits of the young princess have been released at a month old, at her Christening, six months old, Christmas, and again when the family enjoyed their first skiing holiday just a few weeks ago. A portrait of the Queen and her youngest grandchildren and great grandchildren was issued two weeks ago on the occasion of Her Majesty's 90th birthday. Charlotte can be seen sitting sweetly on the Queen's lap.

Happy Birthday Princess Charlotte of Cambridge!

Looking Back At 2015

2015 has been a very special year for the Cambridge family.

On May 2nd, the Duke and Duchess welcomed Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana into the world. Prince William has described her as "ladylike" and "a little joy of heaven".

Brother Prince George has been seen more often in public throughout the year. In only the third time he had made a public appearance in Britain, George was taken by William to St Mary's Hospital to meet baby sister Charlotte. 

Then he was seen at The Trooping The Colour ceremony for the first time in June, wearing the clothes his father William wore on the same occasion in 1984. 

Also that month came a trip to watch his dad and Uncle Harry play polo where George kept his mum Catherine busy following him around.

Finally on July 5th George attended his sister's Christening at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen's Sandringham Estate. It is also the place where George and Charlotte's grandmother the late Diana, Princess of Wales was christened in 1961. George wore an almost identical outfit to that which William wore to meet Prince Harry at St Mary's Hospital in 1984.

There have of course been photos released when Charlotte was a month old, her Christening, George's second birthday, Charlotte at six months and a group photo for Christmas. 

The family is dividing it's time between Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate and their apartment in Kensington Palace. 

Amner is where they prefer to be as it offers a relaxed country lifestyle that is important to both Catherine and William. George will start at a nearby nursery next month. 

Royal Children Blog wishes all our readers a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

George's 2nd Birthday Portrait

Wednesday 22nd July, 2015





Today is Prince George of Cambridge's 2nd birthday. Here are portraits that have been released by his parents throughout his life so far. 

Kensington Palace has released a new portrait of Prince George to celebrate his 2nd birthday. 

The Mario Testino photo was taken at Sandringham House after sister Charlotte's Christening on the 5th July.

The Cambridge family is planning a quiet birthday party for George at their country home Anmer House at Sandringham. The Middleton family along with the Queen are expected to attend.

Amner Hall's New Housekeeper

Saturday 18th July, 2015

Amner Hall is perfectly located on the Queen's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Anmer was a gift to Prince William for his 30th birthday in 2012 and has since undergone extensive renovations to make it a large and comfortable family home for the Cambridges.

Anmer Hall was ready for William, Catherine and George to move into towards the end of last year and the family celebrated Christmas there just a few months later. 

Being on the Queen's private estate ( the home belongs to the Monarch, not the public) the home provides privacy and makes providing security for the family much easier to integrate with existing arrangements at nearby Sandringham House. 

Indeed the family retreated to Anmer from Kensington Palace when Princess Charlotte was only a few days old and the tiny royal was Christened in the local church just two weeks ago. 

Prince William has also recently started his new role as helicopter co-pilot at East Anglia Air Ambulance and is based at Cambridge Airport. His duties will cover Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Earlier this year, the husband and wife housekeepers at Anmer Hall decided to resign their position. An advertisement was placed in The Lady for a replacement housekeeper who would manage the house and assist with child care. 

The person chosen for the role is Sadie Rice who is extremely well qualified. 33 year old Sadie grew up in West Sussex and has previously worked as a maid at Buckingham Palace and also helped care for the children of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway. Their daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra will one day be Queen of Norway just as one day Prince George will rule Britain. 

As Catherine and William plan to spend a large amount of time at Amner Hall, no doubt Sadie will become a integral part of the couple's household.

Christening Portraits

Saturday 11th July, 2015

Here are the Mario Testino portraits taken after Princess Charlotte's Christening last Sunday.

The photograph of Catherine holding Charlotte was taken in Sandringham House's drawing room.

source:KensingtonRoyal/Testino

Flashback

Monday 6th July, 2015

A few reminders of royal history were evident at the Christening of Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

The Milson pram that was used to carry the little princess to the church was the very same pram that the Queen used for her two youngest sons Princes Andrew and Edward.

Another flashback, Prince George's outfit by Rachel Riley was almost identical to that which his father William wore to meet Prince Harry in 1984.

source:kensingtonroyal

source:kensingtonroyal

source:kensingtonroyal

Prince William 1984

A Nod to History As Charlotte Christened

Monday 6th, July 2015

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children George and Charlotte presented the modern face of the royal family yesterday.

William and Catherine combined touches of history with allowing friendly access to the public at the Christening of Princess Charlotte.

The Duke and Duchess along with Prince George walked  the path from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene church. Charlotte was in a Milson pram that belonged to The Queen when Princes Andrew and Edward were babies.

Prince George wore a white shirt with red smocking and red shorts by favourite childrens wear boutique Rachel Riley. It was an almost identical outfit to that worn by William when he went to the Lindo Wing to meet baby brother Prince Harry in 1984.


The concession to moving with the times was the fact that the Cambridge family invited the public to come and watch the family in a grassed area adjacent to the pathway.

Apart from a few tears from George that required dad to step in and offer a quite word family, guests and the public seemed to have a wonderful afternoon. The Queen would no doubt be proud of how the occasion was carried out. 

Press Release Of Christening Details

Sunday 5th July, 2015

From princeofwales.gov.uk:

The Christening of Princess Charlotte: Guests and Godparents

The following guests will attend Princess Charlotte’s christening today at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham:

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall 
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Middleton, Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr. James Middleton
Princess Charlotte’s godparents and their spouses.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked the following people to be godparents to Princess Charlotte, all of whom are friends or family of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: 

Miss Sophie Carter
Mr. James Meade
Mr. Adam Middleton
The Hon. Laura Fellowes
Mr. Thomas van Straubenzee

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will walk from Sandringham House to church with their children. 
Princess Charlotte will wear the hand made replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen. 
The Lily Font and water from the River Jordan will be used during the baptism.
Following the service, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will give a tea at Sandringham House. Guests will be served slices of christening cake, which is a tier taken from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake.

Christening Day

Sunday 5th July, 2015

Charlotte aged two weeks

Today is Princess Charlotte of Cambridge's special day. Charlotte, who is two months old will be surrounded by family and godparents for her welcome into the Church of England.

What we know is:

The young royal will be christened Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. 

The Christening will take place in St Mary Magdalene church on the Sandringham Estate. The Cambridge's country home is also on the estate. 

The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall along with the Middleton family will attend. Prince Harry is visiting charities in Africa for three months and will be absent.

The ceremony is due to commence at 4.30pm and the Cambridge family will make the walk from Sandringham House to the church. The public have been invited to congregate in the paddock adjacent to the path to witness the family as a foursome for the first time. 

Mario Testino will take the official photos and some will be released in the coming days. 

St Mary Magdalene is also the church where William's late mother Diana Spencer was christened in August 1961. Diana also lived on the Sandringham Estate at Park House.

After the ceremony, The Queen will host a high tea at Sandringham House for family, the godparents and their spouses.

The godparents names are due to be released this morning. As soon as this happens, I will update the blog.