This week, ahead of the winter breakit was reported that we can expect some news from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge over the holidays period. Well, here we have the first of the series. In November we found Duchess of Cambridge spend two days at the Kingston Hospital Maternity Unit in London learning more about Nurses and Midwives. The time spent was in relation to her beloved project ‘Early Years Intervention’ that we are expecting to have some big outcome this year.
WHO
January 1, 2020, marks the beginning of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwifeand a major global effort to highlight an acute shortage of these crucial health workers. World Health Organization (WHO) selected 2020 to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives because it is the bicentenary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. The world needs 9 million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
Kensington Palace
On Friday, Palace released some photographs from the visit.
Next year the world turns its attention to the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, and recognising and celebrating the humbling work that you and your colleagues do day in, day out, to improve the lives of others. You are there for women at their most vulnerable; you witness strength, pain and unimaginable joy on a daily basis.
Your work often goes on behind the scenes, and away from the spotlight. Recently however, I was privileged enough to witness a small section of it first hand, spending several days at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit. Although this was not my first encounter with the care and kindness provided by midwives across the country, it gave me a broader insight into the true impact you have on everybody you help.
Over the last few years, I’ve dedicated a significant amount of my work to the Early Years – the pivotal period of development between pregnancy and the age of 5 where children build crucial .foundations for life. Your role in supporting this critical phase of development extends far beyond the complicated task of delivering a baby successfully.
The help and reassurance you provide for parents to be and parents of newborns is just as crucial. It goes a long way in building parents’ confidence from the start, with lifelong impact on the future happiness of their children.
The Early Years are more critical for future health and happiness than any other moment in our lifetime. Even before we are born, our mother’s emotional and physical health directly influences our development and by the age of 5 a child’s brain has developed to 90 per cent of its adult size. Your role at the very start of this period is therefore of fundamental importance.
During my time at Kingston, I accompanied community midwives on their daily rounds and was welcomed into people’s homes. I was truly touched by the trust that people placed in me, sharing their experiences and voicing their fears openly. I also spent time in hospital clinics and on post-natal wards. No matter the setting, I was continually struck by the compassion that those of you I spent time with showed, and the incredible work ethic you demonstrated on behalf of your entire profession – not only performing your rounds but working tirelessly through the night to support people that were at their most vulnerable.
The founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale – whose 200th anniversary we celebrate next year, once said: “I attribute my success to this: I never have or took an excuse” and it is that mantra that I have seen time and time again in all of my encounters with you. You don’t ask for praise or for recognition but instead, unwaveringly continue your amazing work bringing new life into our world. You continue to demonstrate that despite your technical mastery and the advancement of modern medicine, it is the human to human relationships and simple acts of kindness that sometimes mean the most.
So as we look ahead to next year, I want to thank you for all that you do. It has been a real privilege learning from you so far, and I look forward to meeting and learning from even more of you in the coming years and decades.
Catherine
WHO Twitter
Thanking Duchess for her letter WHO tweeted, “We are delighted that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge has recognized the value and importance of this work, sending a letter of appreciation to all midwives”.
The Royal Family
The Queen and Princess Royal also have been a long champion of Nurses and Midwives. The Queen is the patron of the Royal College of Nursing while Anne supports The Royal College of Midwives.
We might hear one or two more news from Cambridge household in the upcoming days. Then I expect to see the Duchess on Sunday Church Service next weekend.
Royal Christmas is one of the biggest traditions of the Royal Calendar that ends the royal year on a happy note. As expected the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Christmas Church Service with the Queen and the members of the Royal Family at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. This is couple’s ninth Christmas as a married couple.
The new adorable additions were Prince George and Princess Charlotte who attended the Christmas Church Service with family for the first time. This new tradition is going to help George and Charlotte in the long run as a life of royal who spends most of the time in the public eye. The relaxed and casual setting of the public gathering will help them easing up in the public eye. Prince Louis will also join the elder siblings in the next few years.
The Royal Watchers were eagerly waiting for this moment. The kids were walking hand in hand with their parents while joined by the proud Grandpa Wales. Princess Charlotte is matching with Mummy in matching green Amaia Kids Razorbil coat (Id by fabulous friend Gabi on Twitter). We had this sweet debut of Cambridge siblings after another much-awaited surprise.
Kensington Palace
Last night we got the early Christmas present from William and Catherine in the form of a Christmas Picture. The couple released a family picture in which Dad Prince William is kissing the youngest gem of the family Prince Louis, while elder sister Princess Charlotte has a protective hand on Louis’ shoulder. Prince George looks happy and relaxes after a sport time sitting in a chair. The black and white picture was clicked by the Duchess of Cambridge at the couple’s country residence Anmer Hall in Norfolk this spring.
The Queen spends Christmas holidays at her country residence Sandringham with Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other members of the royal family. She arrived at the Church in a car along with the Duchess of Cornwall.
Wikipedia
Every year we saw the members of the royal family walking down to the St. Mary Magdalene Church for the service. Ahead of the service, today crowd gathered outside the church where they will meet and greet the members of the royal family. This year the Queen, Charles and Camilla were joined by the Cambridges, Wessex family, Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, Princess Beatrice and her Fiancé, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timoty Laurence.
Sandringham Estate
St Mary Magdalene Church is a church in Sandringham, Norfolk located just to the northwest of Sandringham House. The parish church of St Mary Magdalene has held memorials to many members and relations of the Royal Family from Queen Victoria onwards. It is used regularly as a place of worship by the Royal Family and Estate staff. Princess Diana of Wales and her granddaughter Princess Charlotte of Cambridge were christened at the Church.
After the service, the members of the royal family greeted the public gathered outside the church. Prince George was accompanied by Dad William while Mummy Catherine guided little Charlotte during the meet and greet.
Chris Ship on Twitter
Another picture of the family leaving the Church. Before leaving the church Catherine crouched down to the explain something to Charlotte to which she nodded deftly.
BBC Screenshot
Both George and Charlotte were amazingly cute during the public meet. This cute moment was captured from BBC News clip when a lady asked for a hug and Charlotte hugged the lady oh so shyly but with a smile on her face.
Karen Anvil on Twitter
During the walkabout, Charlotte received many gifts from well-wishers. A lovely Twitter user Karen Anvil got a special doll for the little Princess. This picture was captured by Karen Anvil during the walkabout. From Daily Mail’s report,
Fans praised Charlotte’s ‘impeccable’ manners and ‘cheeky’ persona as they gifted her presents including a teddy and a pink flamingo toy.
Karen Anvil, who famously took a picture of the ‘Fab Four’ – the Cambridges and Sussexes two years ago – gifted Charlotte a doll this morning. Ms Anvil then captured a photo of the four-year-old. Ms Anvil told Sky News: ‘She came over with her mum, she liked the doll. Her manners are outstanding – but she’s cheeky, she wasn’t at all scared.’ She said Prince George’s manners were also ‘perfect’
The Royal Family Twitter
The kids simply stole the hearts of the watchers today without even trying. This lovely shot of Duchess with Princess Charlotte is everything.
Chris Ship on Twitter
During the walkabout, little Charlotte was presented with an inflatable pink flamingo which she was holding during the walk back to home.
A video of the family leaving the Church. Don’t miss Charlott curtsying to her Gan-Gan.
Clarence House
For the church service, Duchess of Cambridge debut a new coat.
She was wearing a grey long coat with fur detailing at the collars and cuffs.
Catherine Walker’s Larrisa Coat Dress
It looks like the Custom version of Catherine Walker’s Larrisa coat dress that is described as, “Luxurious, mocha mohair and faux fur lends a distinctly wintry Russian aesthetic to this beautifully tailored coatdress. The pleated faux fur skirt nipped at the waist and sumptuous collar will keep winter at bay”. I will update the post when we get any further information.
MICHAEL KORS Women’s Midi Shirt Dress – Joule Green
The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George came together to make Christmas puddings at Buckingham Palace as part of a Royal British Legion initiative.
Watch this clip as Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses take part in the pudding stir. pic.twitter.com/i3Xx2DtxhR
This was the last appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cambridge kids in 2019. With George and Charlotte’s debut Christmas walk we had a Royally cute and adorable end of the decade.
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!!
Kensington Palace
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 Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George prepared special Christmas puddings which will form part of 99 puddings distributed byThe 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.
“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 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 Royal Family
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.
The Royal Family
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.
The Royal Family
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.
Air Cadets
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.”
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.
