Princess Charlotte was the star of the show at Sandringham this morning as the 10-year-old daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared poised and graceful during the royal walkabout.
Prince William, Catherine, and their three children – Prince George, 12, Charlotte, and Prince Louis, seven – joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, and senior royals for their annual Christmas church service at St Mary Magdalene this morning.
After the hour-long service in Norfolk, the Waleses were seen greeting members of the public – with Charlotte confidently waving at fans while accepting presents and a bouquet of red roses.
Social media users compared the young royal to Princess Anne in posts on X, while others praised her ‘special’ piano duet with Catherine during the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concert that was aired last night.
Charlotte, who was seen smiling sweetly at her mother during this morning’s engagement, was dressed in a camel coat with chocolate brown accents that perfectly complemented Catherine’s BLAZE MILANO tartan coat.
Fans also highlighted the close relationship between Charlotte and Mia Tindall, 11 – the eldest child of Zara and Mike Tindall – as they were spotted walking out of the church together.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s younger brother Louis appeared delighted by the Christmas presents he received from well-wishers – including a massive box of Lindor chocoloates and giant stuffed teddy bear that he was seen carting around.
It comes after Princess Charlotte was revealed as the ‘secret’ star of her mother’s annual Christmas carol concert that was aired on ITV1 and ITVX last evening.
Princess Charlotte stole the show at Sandringham this morning as the 10-year-old daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared poised and graceful during the royal walkabout
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s younger brother Louis appeared delighted by the Christmas presents he received from well-wishers – including a massive box of Lindor chocoloates
Charlotte was also seen giggling with Mia Tindall, the 11-year-old daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall after the service
Their ‘absolutely beautiful’ rendition of Scottish composer Erland Cooper’s Holm Sound brought royal fans to tears, as they noted how proud Catherine looked of Charlotte.
It was shown alongside a voiceover of Kate reading the letter that was given to guests at Westminster Abbey, and footage of people arriving for the service on December 5.
One said: ‘Catherine the Princess of Wales knocks it out of the park with everything she does and she makes it seem so effortless. A lovely message to accompany the piano duet with Charlotte, superb.’
Another added: ‘Prince William must be so proud of both his beautiful girls. Lovely lovely carol concert.’
The duet was filmed at Inner Hall in Windsor Castle and Catherine personally invited Mr Cooper to accompany them for the performance.
The award-winning musician, who wrote the piece as a tribute to his mother, later described their ‘incredible bond’ while praising Charlotte’s abilities.
On witnessing mother and daughter sharing the stage together for their joint performance, he said: ‘It was just lovely. I think I was there for a little bit of encouragement. I mean, imagine anybody performing a piece of music in front of a film crew, and then the person who wrote it.
‘Princess Charlotte played beautifully, she really has a wonderful way of playing the lighter notes just beautifully. So we were able to celebrate in that together.’
Prince George, 12, stopped to greet fans outside the church in Sandringham as Prince Louis kept one eye on the box of chocolates he received as a Christmas present
The cheeky young royal was also seen carrying a giant stuffed teddy bear
Charlotte, who was seen smiling sweetly at her mother during this morning’s engagement, was dressed in a camel coat with chocolate brown accents that perfectly complemented Catherine’s BLAZE MILANO tartan coat
From left to right: Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Mia Tindall, 11, and the Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales, who has played the piano since the age of 10, first wrote to Mr Cooper to express her love of his music and thank him for his dedication to promoting the beauty of the natural world through his craft.
Through their exchange of messages, the future queen revealed how she had enjoyed teaching Charlotte his compositions at home, creating a special bond between them.
While planning her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol concert, celebrating hundreds of community heroes at Westminster Abbey, the princess requested to play one of her favourite pieces with her daughter as part of the television on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
While Charlotte joined her mother for what has become one of Kate’s most eagerly-anticipated engagements of the year, Prince George also took part in a cherished festive tradition that has a special significance for his father.
The future heir helped his father prepare Christmas lunches for the homeless at the same charity the Prince of Wales visited with his mother, Princess Diana, in 1993.
Making his first visit to The Passage, the homelessness charity supported by his father and late grandmother, George signed the same page of the visitor’s book where Diana and William added their names 32 years ago.
The young prince had the sweetest reaction to the moment and was left ‘fascinated’ by the moment, being heard to say: ‘Wow. Ok.’
Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage, described the poignant visit as ‘a proud dad moment’ for William and a chance to tell his eldest son ‘that’s my mum’.
Louis excitedly showing his father William the sweet treats he received as gifts from members of the public
Prince Louis standing in front of his siblings Charlotte and Geroge as it appeared he handed his stuffed toy to a staff member
Prince William shares a sweet moment with his youngest child, Louis
Charlotte and Mia appeared deep in conversation as they left the church on Thursday morning
Prince William first attended The Passage with his mother in 1993, but he and his brother Prince Harry were also both seen at the centre with Diana as boys.
William was photographed playing chess, lending a hand in the kitchen and holding wrapped Christmas presents when he visited the charity.
And this year, George followed in his father’s footsteps as he was shown to a room where he helped volunteers create care packages, which were later distributed to people unable to attend the lunch.
The packages contained around 30 items including £10 Greggs vouchers, toiletries, socks, and snack bars.
The young prince then helped to decorate a tree which had been donated to the charity from Westminster Abbey following his mother’s carol service.
Clarke, who has met Catherine before, said that there was a ‘nice synergy’ to the fact that George was now helping to decorate a tree from his mother’s service on December 5.
Last year, the Waleses coordinated their outfits in a symbol of togetherness after a tumultuous year following Kate’s cancer diagnosis.
They were all dressed in similar tones of green and blue for the Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
As William and Kate’s youngest child Louis joined his siblings for the short walk from the church to Sandringham House, he couldn’t contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from fans.
After the service, senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, greeted well-wishers – laden with gifts – who began arriving outside the church yesterday evening.
Footage showed how a very happy Louis had his hands full of gifts before another well-wisher offered him a Father Christmas headband.
The young prince accepted the headband, politely thanked the person who gifted it and returned to his father and siblings.
Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William.
