‘Royal Mail’ as Duke and Duchess hand out gifts to troops on duty at Christmas
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge performed the duties of a “really Royal Mail” as they hand-delivered presents to troops who will be away from their families at Christmas.
The Duke and Duchess paid tribute to British forces stationed overseas as they took gifts from children to their mothers and fathers serving at an RAF base in Cyprus.
The Duke told troops fighting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) that they deserved thanks of the nation, reminding them: “Recognition of your sacrifices is exactly what is due to you all”.
The royal couple met pilots, officers and flight crews from 11 Squadron, a Typhoon fighter unit, who are now on deployment at RAF Akrotiri and flying missions from Cyprus to combat Isil.
They arrived bearing presents from the servicemen’s children, wives and parents who were invited to a Kensington Palace Christmas party on Tuesday.
As the gifts were handed out in the sergeants’ mess, the Duchess turned to a group of RAF personnel that included Sqn Ldr Sarah Waghorn and others, and joked about delivering the mail.
Sqn Ldr Waghorn, whose 80-yearold father David Waghorn had met the royals at their Christmas party, said: “They said their parcel service ‘really was Royal Mail’.”
“All of this work is done without fanfare,” the Duke told troops in a speech. “You don’t seek praise for your contribution. It’s not about credit or recognition – for you, it’s just about service.
“But as we approach Christmas, Catherine and I feel strongly that praise for your work and recognition of your sacrifices is exactly what is due to you all. From my time in uniform, we both know a bit of what it feels like to balance your work commitments with your family life.
“You all put duty first. And so do your families, some of whom we had the chance to meet yesterday at a party at Kensington Palace.
“We know this isn’t easy for you or for your wives, husbands, children, and friends back in the UK. On behalf of everyone back home, we would like to say thank you.”
The Duke and Duchess also spoke of the perils of throwing a children’s party after their Christmas event left their young guests on a sugar high, admitting they felt rather “responsible” for the number of sweets and marshmallows consumed.
The Duchess, dressed casually in an olive blazer and wide-legged black trousers, told how Prince George and Princess Charlotte had missed out on the party, turning up after school to find the snow machine and edible treats had been cleared away.
“It was very kiddie friendly,” the Duchess said of the party. “I think some of the grandparents felt slightly bombarded. They [the children] had a lot of sweets by the end of the day.”
She added: “Some of the children really understood what their mums and dads are doing and missed you all. I’m sorry that we couldn’t bring your families with us for Christmas.”
The Duke told pilots: “I told George this morning we were going to see the pilots today, and he said ‘if you see a helicopter can you take a picture?’”
The Duchess also made time for some more serious conversation, sharing some of her research into children’s early years development and the importance of mental health.