What’s Santa bringing the royal kids?
Who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? All will soon be revealed!
“Kate’s also getting Charlotte a new tennis racquet – she’s outgrowing all her sports gear.”
Prince George, 8
The royals have a tradition of keeping gift-giving at Christmas low-key and they generally don’t approve of lavish or expensive presents. But it’s official – Prince George is a royal rule breaker! “George has asked for a Nintendo Switch, but if Father Christmas goes for it, he’ll have to find some way to sneak it past the royal gifting protocols,” Woman’s Day’s palace source reveals. Instead, George will have to settle for “more appropriate” gifts, like “a full-size cricket bat, a bigger bike, graphic novels or an advanced Lego set”.
Princess Charlotte, 6
Just like her greatgrandmother Queen Elizabeth and many others in the family, Charlotte loves horses and riding. “Charlotte is obsessed with her pony and has asked Father Christmas for a new saddle, bridle and some pretty blankets for it,” our royal insider tells Woman’s Day. “She’s always underfoot at the Sandringham stables, soaking up everything she can.” The fourth in line to the throne has also inherited mum Kate’s artistic flare. “Charlotte’s keen on art and using all kinds of mediums, from simple markers to papiermâché – so all and any art supplies.”
Prince Louis, 3
Kate and William’s youngest is just like most three-yearold boys. “Louis is the easiest one to buy for – he’s obsessed with trains and dinosaurs,” our palace insider can reveal. “He wants a dinosaur outfit and there’s a dinosaur board game out this year Kate wants to get him. He also wants one of those bouncy ball seats.”
Archie MountbattenWindsor, 2
Santa is going to be very busy fulfilling the wishlist of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s eldest. “Archie is going to have a vastly different budget spent on his gifts. He’ll be getting everything from V-tech computers to his first karaoke machine,” says the insider. And that’s not all. “He wants a dinosaur, a kitten and a pony!” There’s one other gift Harry is keen to buy his son – a drum kit! “Meghan’s begging him to hold off on that while they’re still working on Lili’s sleeping patterns,” notes the source.
Lady Louise, 18
“Lou has already had a big year turning 18, so she’s not expecting anything this Christmas,” our royal insider says – but if there’s one thing Prince Edward and Countess Sophie’s very modest daughter could use, it’s help with her equestrian aspirations. “She’s hoping her folks will chip in towards a new horse trailer she’s saving for, but aside from that, she hasn’t made any special requests.”
James, Viscount Severn, 13
When you’re a royal, reaching for the stars isn’t an impossible feat. “James has developed an interest in astronomy this year, so there are plans to get him a portable telescope,” our insider says, adding that Edward and Sophie’s son has asked for gifts that are likely on many teens’ wishlists. “He’s got weights, earbuds and a Nintendo Switch, just like George.”
Mia Tindall, 7, + Lena Tindall, 3
“Anything horse-related is a winner on their Christmas wishlist,” notes the royal insider. But Zara and Mike Tindall’s girls would like some other items too. “Mia feels very grown-up as she’s turning eight in a few weeks, so she’s asked for chapter books and writing materials. Lena’s easy as she’s obsessed with ponies, so any books, toys, bedding or clothing has to be ponythemed. Grandma Anne is so proud that they’re chips off the old block.”
Lilibet, August, Sienna + Lucas’ first Christmases
The royal newbies might not know what’s going on, but they won’t go without! “They’re too little to know what they want, of course, yet they won’t miss out,” our insider explains, adding that Harry and Meghan’s youngest, Lilibet, will receive some clothes. “Lili will be getting a whole new designer wardrobe, while Eugenie and Jack’s son August, Beatrice and Edo’s daughter Sienna, and Zara and Mike’s bub Lucas will get more conservative gifts like cloth books, music boxes, building blocks and anything else with a focus on sensory play.”
For most of her 95 years, the festive season has without doubt been the most treasured time on the Queen’s calendar.
She decamps to her beloved Sandringham Estate
– a property that was also a favourite of her father King George VI, who passed away in his sleep there in 1952 – throughout the duration of the British winter, where the royals traditionally gather for the holidays.
It’s here that fans are usually treated to a brief sighting of the family on Christmas morning as they attend the nearby church, St Mary Magdalene.
MISSING PHILIP
This year, though, there will be one person missing – the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Sources tell Woman’s Day the Queen’s preparations for her annual family gathering have been “noticeably tinged with sadness” for the monarch, after Philip died aged 99 in April. They had been married for 73 years, with the Queen marking their 74th anniversary last month alone.
“Towards the very end of Philip’s life, they whiled away