Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louisstepped out alongside their parents,Prince WilliamandKate Middleton, for the royal family’s traditional Christmas Day walk to church on Wednesday.
Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George after Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.Samir Hussein/WireImage
In a charming moment, as the kids excitedly scooped up their treats and trinkets from the crowd, William exclaimed: “Flowers [for Charlotte], chocolate [for George and Louis]. Very easy!”
It has been a difficult period for George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, as their mother, the Princess of Wales, 42, was diagnosed with cancer following a planned abdominal surgery in January. When she announced her cancer and chemotherapy treatment in March, Kate said that she and William “have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
The trio of siblings remained out of the spotlight until June’s Trooping the Colour, which they attended alongside their parents to celebrate the official birthday of their grandfather,King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year.
Princess Charlotte attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
A scene from the moving video was used for the Wales family’s Christmas card, released publicly on Dec. 19 and a rare move for the family, as they typically release a new photo for the holiday — driving home how meaningful that video announcement was to the family.
Prince William walks with his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis following Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
On Dec. 6, George, Charlotte and Louis supported their mother at her annualTogether at Christmascarol concert at Westminster Abbey and, in another return to normalcy after a very abnormal year, are taking part in the traditional Christmas festivities at Sandringham, including the yearly walk the morning of Dec. 25 to church at St. Mary Magdalene, nestled on Sandringham’s grounds.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and Prince Louis attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“It’s been such a difficult year for them,” Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of Trotters (the brand behind the burgundy coat Princess Charlotte wore to the carol concert earlier this month) told PEOPLE of George, Charlotte and Louis. “It’s wonderful to see them all together.”
William echoed those sentiments in November when he said that 2024 has been “the hardest year in my life.”
“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life…I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal,” he continued.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales speaks to members of the public following the Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
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A source close to the royal household said of Kate: “Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”
source: people.com
