2019

On Wednesday, when Prince William was pictured driving Prince George to the Buckingham Palace separately from his wife Duchess of Cambridge and younger kids for Queen’s Pre-Christmas Luncheon, the twitter went into a frenzy. Speculations were endless and we were informed there was something special going on that will be released later on.

And we finally got these heartwarming pictures!!! Queen Elizabeth II was joined by her heirs Prince Charles of Wales, Prince William and Prince George of Cambridge for a very royally festive celebration of The Royal British Legions ‘Together at Christmas’ Initiative in the Music Room of the Buckingham Palace.

Also as it happens with this sort of much-awaited pictures, the photos were leaked on social media much ahead of their official release. Another embargoed broken!!

 The Royal British Legion – Queen Elizabeth’s patronage, is at the heart of a national network that supports  Armed Forces community. The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 235,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities, helping and giving the veterans support wherever and whenever it’s needed.

The Royal British Legion’s ‘Together at Christmas’ initiative is designed to provide extra support to the Armed Forces and veteran communities at annual festive get-togethers across the charity’s network of outreach centres.

The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George prepared special Christmas puddings which will form part of 99 puddings distributed by The Royal British Legion across the UK and the Commonwealth, as the charity marks its 99th year in 2020.

A new Royal British Legion recipe was created for the launch, with The Royal Family uniquely adding poppy seeds to the mixture, in a nod to the charity’s iconic symbol of Remembrance. From Royal Legion’s website,

Starting in 2020, the annual events will be hosted at high street locations, care homes, membership branches and other locations with the aim of combating the loneliness and isolation experienced by some members of the Armed Forces community at what can be a difficult time of year.

The mixing session at Buckingham Palace was led by Alex Cavaliere, a chef from one of our care homes who created a new Royal British Legion recipe for the launch, with the Royal Family uniquely adding poppy seeds to the mixture, in a nod to the iconic symbol of Remembrance.

The family stirred four puddings together – which traditionally brings good luck – and each placed commemorative sixpences into the mixture, ready to be found by those attending the get togethers next year.

More from the Poppy Legion along with the special recipe can be found here,

“Bringing people, families and communities together lies at the heart of the Legion’s work and has done since we were founded in 1921,” says Charles Byrne, The Royal British Legion’s Director General.

“As we head towards our centenary in 2021, we are proud to start a new tradition for our community with the support of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and three generations of her family. We are keen that the people we support and the wider public understand that the Legion is not only here for older veterans, but all ages of the Armed Forces community.

“As the Monarch and next three generations, Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses represent a cross-section of those supported by the Legion, from the children of service personnel, to Second World War veterans.

“Christmas can be a time when people’s troubles and worries are exacerbated by the financial pressures of the season or feelings of loneliness and isolation. The extra support the Legion can give, and the camaraderie of our get togethers can make a big difference to our community’s well-being. Making and eating Christmas puddings has traditionally been a shared family activity, and we look forward to sharing these special puddings made with the help of The Royal Family.”

The puddings will be the centrepieces of the charity’s Christmas get-togethers. The pudding making was led by a Legion care home chef Alex Cavaliere & attended by veterans – Colin Hughes, Liam Young, Lisa Evans and Barbara Hurman. We will see more from the engagement in the Queen’s annual Christmas Speech, that will air at 1 PM on Christmas Day.

As always the cute little 6-years old Prince George stole the show when he leads the elder royals for pudding making. George’s Gan-Gan, and GrandPa Wales were cracking up while he appears to be struggling with the thick components of the Christmas pudding. Prince William looked amused. But 3rd in line to the British Monarchy George made with a small help from Grandpa Wales and then each Royal placed poppy seeds and commemorative sixpences into the mixture.

The four generations of the Royal Family in one frame is something we get once in a while. It was not something traditional we are used to getting from the Buckingham Palace when it comes to official picture releases. But was it lovely and heartwarming! Behind the Royals, we can see a Christmas tree adorned with regal decorations and baubles, including crowns, corgis, a throne and Scots Guards wearing kilts and bearskin hats. The pictures were taken by the Royal Photographer Chris Jackson.

It was not the first time when we saw Queen with her 3 direct heirs. In 2013, we got a beautiful picture marking the Christening of Prince George in which William was holding the baby George.

Then in 2016 to mark Queen’s 90th birthday, we got another shot from the Palace. In the picture, Queen is sitting with her two heirs and George was giving a cheeky smile while holding his father’s hand.

Although there was no scheduled engagement for Duchess of Cambridge this week, we have been getting some really interesting tidbits whole week.

Simon Perry reported that 2020 is going to be a big year for the Cambridge household. Two major overseas tours are under planning for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“With William taking on more official responsibilities recently and two major oversees tours planned for the royal parents in 2020, the couple leans on each other and compliments each other’s work.

“They are a great double act,” says a senior royal source, adding: “People make much of William giving the big speeches but Kate is there too, asking questions of presidents and their wives. These things are easier when they are side-by-side.”

Rebecca English from DailyMail reported that We can expect a launch of their three major projects in the new year.

Certainly, at least two foreign tours in 2020 and the launch of three high-profile campaigns close to the Cambridges’ hearts.

A very interesting quote about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from Rebecca’s article,

Whitehall sources tell me they have been so impressed by what the couple achieved over the past 12 months that they plan to put William and Kate at the vanguard of a post-election, Brexit-soothing charm offensive, both in the UK and abroad.

Details of this new role have yet to be announced, but with nationalism on the rise north of the border and a need to redefine Britain’s relations with Europe, it is hoped the couple’s glamorous brand of easy diplomacy can be used to great effect in helping to unify the country and strengthen international ties.

It would be easy to say this reinvention is down to the couple’s growing maturity, which certainly plays a part. But the secret to William and Kate’s recent success is so much more than that.

The couple have a new-found sense of purpose and confidence, thanks to the realisation that they can use their position to make a meaningful contribution to national life while protecting their family, too.

‘They are in a very healthy place both personally and professionally and are really coming to terms with their role,’ says one who knows them well.

‘They are working harder than ever before and juggling an even bigger family, but have tried hard to find a successful balance between their work and home life.’

This balance is vital as the couple embark on the next step of their royal journey, preparing to become the future Prince and Princess of Wales.

Express also reported that we can expect something special from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during this festival break.

The royal commentator said: “Next year is going to be busy for the Cambridges.”

“Expect royal announcements over the holidays, which is a slight break away from tradition. There was a briefing at Kensington Palace just this week where they gave a number of new announcements that will be coming out over the holiday period. It’s a smart decision, it’s a quiet time of the year. It is a great time to announce things.”

We will be hearing about a new initiative from Prince William and some other news as well.

“Next year is a big one for Kate. She is going to be really focused on her early years’ development. That is something she has been involved in for a long time now.

“It has all been bitty for anyone who follows this. Apparently 2020 is a year when it is all tied together. So, yes, a busy year for them.

Duchess of Cambridge has come a long way. In 2011 she started her royal journey as the wife of the 2nd heir to the throne by welcoming the then US President and First Lady at the Buckingham Palace.

And today after a decade in the firm, she has a strong and incomparable presence in the Royal Family that is slowly but surely leaving big marks in the history. I am looking forward to what our beloved Duchess will be bringing to the books of history in the new year and new decade.

Putting a shadow on Royal Christmas, we got a piece of really disturbing news this week. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was admitted to the private King Edward VII hospital in Marylebone, West London. Palace said,

“The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition. The admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’ Doctor.”

As on the day 2 Philip was still in the hospital. Since announcing his retirement in 2017, Prince Philip spends his time at the country estate where he was going to be joined by his wife Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. From DailyMail’s report,

Philip, 98, was flown by helicopter to hospital in London on Friday morning for ‘observation and treatment’ of an unspecified pre-existing condition. The dash followed a month of ill-health for the Duke, including a reported fall.

Royal sources said last night that he was expected to remain in hospital for a few days, raising the prospect that he could be discharged in time to join the Queen and other senior Royals at Sandringham on Christmas Eve.

I wish the Iron Duke a speedy recovery so that he can join his family back for the festival celebrations. Next, we will see the members of the royal family walking to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham for the Church Service on  Christmas Day. I expect it to be Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s debut Christmas walk.