The holiday season is often full of joyous surprises—from special gifts you keep hidden until Christmas morning and visits from extended relatives you haven’t seen in ages to sentimental events that are sure to turn into core memories. Making sure these surprises elicit as much bewilderment and amazement usually means keeping them a secret, which is exactly what Prince Louis, 6, was asked to do for Princess Charlotte, 9.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, enlisted the help of her youngest son to keep one of the performances at her annual “Together at Christmas” Carol Concert confidential from his older sister.
While chatting with singer-songwriter-actress Paloma Faith, Kate shared that Charlotte had no idea soloists from the Royal Ballet would be dancing during the service. Kate and Louis kept this information close to their chests so that it felt extra special for Charlotte, who loves ballet.
Kate said she asked Louis, “Can you keep a secret otherwise it won’t be a surprise for Charlotte, who loves her ballet dancing,” adding, “He has kept the secret for, what, nearly two weeks now.”
“[That’s] very challenging,” Faith responded. “For a six-year-old,” Kate added.
While Louis was successful in keeping mum about the plans, Kate said he almost broke.
“And then this morning he said ‘Mummy, please can I tell her—I’m bursting,'” Kate said. “I did drop off and he really wanted to tell her. I think—hopefully—he’s kept it.”
The looks of Charlotte’s delighted face when the dance started pretty much confirmed Louis did his job.
READ: Prince Louis Holds Sweet Note To Granny And Grandpa At Carol Concert
During the concert, Kate sat alongside her husband, Prince William, and all three of their kids, Louis, Charlotte, and Prince George, 11. They each lit candles as they sang along to Christmas tunes, looking adorable in coordinated outfits.
Kate looked festively regal in a bright-red, double-breasted coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The holiday-ready staple featured a genius, Gen Z-approved styling trick: a big black detachable bow that she added to the neckline of her outerwear. Royal fans got glimpses of a long plaid skirt that she wore underneath, as well as her chic heeled suede boots.
Princess Charlotte matched her mom in a dark red coat dress over black stockings. meanwhile, George and Louis looked like their dad’s mini-mes in matching black suits, white button down shirts, and red ties.
Also present was William’s cousins Zara Tindall, who looked bold in a daring burgundy velvet pantsuit, and Princess Beatrice, who put on a masterful display of merry maternity dressing in a wine-red ensemble. Beatrice came with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and her 8-year-old stepson, Christopher Woolf, in tow, who matched in navy outfits.
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