Princess Charlotte’s ‘priceless’ reactions at Royal Family’s Christmas events
Princess Charlotte has charmed royal watchers with her demeanour at two traditional Christmas events in the first year without the Queen.
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Princess Charlotte has continued to captivate royal watchers during events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, attended by the Royal Family.
Charlotte, Princess of Wales was photographed leaving the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk in Eastern England, where she was joined by her elder brother Prince George, and little brother, Prince Louis.
Charlotte cut a trim and elegant figure in a double breasted burgundy coat, complementing her mother’s dark olive frock coat and hat.
The younger Princess of Wales was captured enjoying herself with her royal relatives, smiling and laughing, as well as striking some facial expressions that were more reflective.
It comes as a Christmas Eve carol service dedicated to the late monarch and hosted by Kate Middleton was broadcast in the UK after being recorded at Westminster Abbey on December 15.
Princess Charlotte stole the show with her “priceless” reaction at Christmas carol service attended by the royal family as her face lit up during the Paddington Bear tribute to her late great-grandmother, the Queen
Actor Hugh Bonneville, best known from Downton Abbey and the Paddington films, read an extract from one of Michael Bond’s books about the beloved bear at Royal Carols: Together at Christmas.
It’s been a difficult year for the royal family after the death of the beloved monarch at the age of 96 in September and an increasingly bitter rift with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Princess Charlotte grinned happily as she heard the reference to the marmalade-loving bear, who filmed an iconic sketch with the Queen for her platinum jubilee in June.
The Princess of Wales, who was leading the service, looked lovingly down at her daughter as she became excited while hearing about the storybook character.
Bonneville read the “Christmas Letter” to the congregation from Paddington’s Christmas Post as Princess Charlotte gestured happily towards her mother.
”Dear Aunt Lucy,” Bonneville read as music played in the background, “Today it was Christmas Day, and something wonderful happened!
“You’ll never believe it but Mr Claus gave me a ginormous jar of homemade marmalade. I couldn’t think how he guessed it was my favourite kind.”
Paddington Bear became something of a totem for the Queen in the days following her death in September because one of her last public appearances was in the lovely sketch she filmed with him (voiced by actor Ben Wishaw) for her Platinum Jubilee.
Mourners left so many stuffed toys, as well as the character’s beloved marmalade sandwiches, amid the floral tributes that Royal Parks bosses had to urge them to stop.
The many bears were later donated to children’s charities.
The event was attended by King Charles, Camilla, the Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte, reports the Sun.
Prince Louis did not attend.
Princess Charlotte was also filmed singing along heartily to Away in a Manger next to her older brother Prince George, nine, as the siblings sat in the front row.
Ms Middleton opened the service by paying tribute to the Queen’s “incredible legacy” and thanked her for “bringing us together” in a touching video message.
The princess, who spearheaded the service with support from The Royal Foundation, said she was “thrilled” to return to the abbey for a second year.
“This Christmas will be our first without Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth,” she said.
“Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.
“This year, we’ve invited hundreds of inspiring individuals to the service.
“Those who showcase the power of connectedness and community values, allowing us to continue Her Majesty’s tradition of recognising and thanking those who have gone above and beyond to support others.
“Her Majesty leaves with us an incredible legacy and one that has deeply inspired many of us.”
Ms Middleton dedicated the service to the Queen and to “all those who are sadly no longer with us”.
“So, while Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared,” she added.
“Take time to slow down and celebrate with family and friends all the wonderful things that make Christmas so special.”
Among those in attendance were other senior members of the royal family, including Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.
Twitter users found the scene at the carol concert between the Princess of Wales and her daughter adorable.
“I don’t cope well at Christmas and usually shed a lot of tears but it did warm my heart seeing little Princess Charlotte singing happily away and getting excited over the letter from Paddington Bear,” one wrote.
“Thank you Charlotte for making me smile.”
“Princess Charlotte’s excitement when she heard the words ‘Paddington Bear’ was priceless!”
Another tweeted: “@RoyalFamily well done the service was lovely. Loved Princess Charlotte’s face light up before Paddington Bear.
“It was light and not too religious. Great.”
CHARLES IN CHARGE OF CHRISTMAS
Meanwhile, as he enters his first Christmas as monarch, King Charles has made a few changes to royal festivities.
Completing her return from the dead, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, is expected to join the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain in the US.
Ms Ferguson’s ex-husband, Prince Andrew, will also join the family for Christmas festivities butthe disgraced royal will not accompany the rest of his family to their traditional walk to church on Christmas Day.
King Carles and Queen Consort, Camilla, are due to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Princess Anne and her family, as well as Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex and their children.
King Charles will make his first Christmas speech as monarch, which will be broadcast at 3pm local time (2am AEDT).
The pre-recorded address was filmed at St George’s Chapel at Windsor, the place where his mother was laid to rest.
King Charles also brought a modern touch with a large Christmas tree in the background decorated with ornaments made from sustainable materials and natural products. The video was recorded last week, two days before the Sussexes’ explosive Netflix series concluded. Buckingham Palace has no released any advanced details of the speech.
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