Prince Louis was given so many gifts from well-wishers at Sandringham on Christmas Day that he needed help from his father, Prince William, to carry them all — but do Louis and his older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte get to keep the gifts given to them by the public?
George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, were joined by their parents Prince William and Kate Middleton and the rest of the royal family for the annual Dec. 25 walkabout following a morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene on Sandringham’s grounds. The ample amount of gifts his three kids received prompted Prince William, 42, to remark, “Flowers [pointing at Charlotte], chocolate [pointing at George and Louis] — very easy!”
Louis was given so many gifts that he had to ask his father, “Papa, can you carry some?” One special gift was from 6-year-old Rupert Bradley, who Hello! reported gave Louis a hand-finished silver egg cup and spoon bearing Louis’ grandfather King Charles’ Coronation Commemorative Mark. Sweetly, Rupert — who is the same age as Louis — received the gift in his own Christmas stocking and wanted to also give the gift to Louis as a kind gesture.
“Rupert has always loved Prince Louis,” Rupert’s mother Kay Bradley said. “They were born within a few days of each other, so that’s why he feels a connection.”
When it comes to whether George, Charlotte and Louis can keep the gifts they’re given, official royal gift policy states (per Hello!) that members of the royal family are allowed to accept gifts from individuals not personally known to them, including the public, but the gifts must meet a certain criteria.
READ: Like Father, Like Son: Prince Louis Embraces Prince William’s Passion
Flowers, food and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities) are acceptable, as are copies of books presented by the author, provided the subject matter is not controversial. Other items of smaller monetary value may also be kept by royals, specifically items that cost less than 150 pounds (which translates to $188).
When it comes to official gifts — like from a state visit, for example — gifts can only be used by members of the royal family or be put on display, and these gifts automatically become part of the Royal Collection, according to Hello!.
After a difficult year that saw both Kate and King Charles diagnosed with cancer, the Wales family of five seemed to enjoy mingling with the public — and Kate, 42, enjoyed it so much that she was heard to exclaim, “I seem to have lost my family!” after William and the kids ended up so far ahead of her as she got lost in conversation with well-wishers.
As the Princess of Wales got caught up talking to others, William had a giggly moment with George and Charlotte that was captured in photo form. “Look at that doggy! Are they in a pram?” William asked, per Hello!. (A pram is another term for a baby carriage.)
Through laughter, the Prince of Wales asked, “Have you hijacked someone else’s pram, or is that your dog’s pram?”
When the owner confirmed to the future king that the pram did, in fact, belong to her dog, William laughed again and added, “Have a wonderful Christmas!” before he and his family eventually headed back to Sandringham House and the Christmas lunch that awaited them there.
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