Prince Louis of Wales reacts as he carries gifts from wellwishers, after attending the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on Dec. 25, 2024.Photo:OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
As he is prone to do,Prince Louisstole the show at the royal family’s Christmas Day walkabout.
At one point, a well-wisher offered the royal a Father Christmas headband, which he happily accepted and “politely thanked the person who gifted it and returned to his father and siblings,” the outlet reported.
Prince Louis of Wales reacts as he carries gifts from wellwishers, after attending the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on Dec. 25, 2024.OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
In fact, Louis’ hands were so full of presents,The Daily Mailreported, that he “appeared to struggle to keep hold of everything he had received” and turned to his father and sweetly asked, “Papa, can you carry some?”
At other points in the walkabout, Louis gripped his mother’s hand and, as seen in a video posted toTikTok, Kate ruffled her youngest’s hair at one point, encouraging him to mingle with well-wishers. She also puta reassuring hand on his shoulder, as seen in aseparate clip.
PerNewsweek, Prince Louis was spotted telling his mother Princess Kate at one point, “We’re looking out for each other.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince Louis of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
As his three kids excitedly grabbed treats from the crowd assembled, Prince William exclaimed, “Flowers [for Charlotte], chocolate [for George and Louis]. Very easy!”
For the second year in a row, Louis wore trousers to the Christmas Day walkabout, althoughThe Daily Expressreports that royal tradition usually dictates that boys under 7 years old must wear shorts while attending public engagements. “It appears his parents are taking a more relaxed approach to protocol,” the outlet reported. (Louis will turn 7 in April.)
Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
It has been a difficult year for George, Charlotte and Louis, one that saw both their mother and their grandfather diagnosed with cancer. On Sept. 9, Kate announced thather chemotherapy treatment had ended, while the King’swill continue on into 2025.
The three Wales children were rarely seen in the public eye in 2024, making sparse appearances at events like June’s Trooping the Colour, September’s video message from the Princess of Wales announcing she had completed treatment and Dec. 6’sTogether at Christmascarol concertat Westminster Abbey.
“It’s been such a difficult year for them,” Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of Trotters (the brand behind Princess Charlotte’s burgundy coat worn to the carol service) told PEOPLE of George, Charlotte and Louis. “It’s wonderful to see them all together.”
Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“Life-threatening illnesses bring a reconsideration of priorities,” a source close to the royal household said of Kate. “She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”
Catherine, Princess of Walesm Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Louis — who shares a particularly tight bond with his sister Charlotte —was “bursting”to tell his older sister about ballet dancers at their mom’s carol concert earlier this month. Speaking to performers at the annual event, Kate recounted that Louis learned there would be a ballet performance at the carol concert about two weeks before the show, and that she asked him not to tell Charlotte so it would be a surprise for the young princess, who loves dance.
“So I said, ‘Louis, can you keep a secret? I want it to be a surprise for Charlotte, who loves her ballet dancing,’ and he said, ‘I won’t say anything!’. And he’s kept the secret, this is what, maybe two weeks? Quite good for a 6-year-old!” Princess Kate said with a smile.
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“And then this morning he was like, ‘Please Mummy, can I tell her? I’m bursting!’, ‘cause I did the drop off and he really wanted to tell her,” she added.
“I think, hopefully, he’s kept on with it. I don’t think he’s said anything,” she continued. “I asked her [Charlotte], just before we left, ‘Do you know what the surprise is?’ And she said no.”
source: people.com