Royal news live: Inside Prince William and Kate Middleton’s special Christmas with George, Charlotte and Louis
Comes after royal family endured ‘dreadful’ year with both Kate and Charles battling cancer
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Your support makes all the difference.The Prince and Princess of Wales are likely to put on a particularly special Christmas for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis this year.
The royal family have endured what William described as a “dreadful” year, with both Kate and the King battling cancer, so it is looking probable that the royal couple will be putting their all into festive celebrations with their children.
The prince has stepped up admirably as both his wife and father face major health scares, admitting that 2024 has “probably been the hardest year in my life”.
As she gradually returns to public duties following her chemotherapy treatment, it has been confirmed that the princess will be hosting her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on 6 December.
The whole family may be set to soon pick their Christmas tree together after they were spotted doing so from the Christmas Tree Shop in Berkshire last year, which is near to their home Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
All of the Waleses are also expected to spend Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House along with the rest of the royals, as is tradition, staying at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
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William and Kate’s special Christmas with George, Charlotte and Louis after ‘dreadful’ year
The Prince and Princess of Wales are likely to put on a particularly special Christmas for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis this year.
The royal family have endured what William described as a “dreadful” year, with both Kate and the King battling cancer, so it is looking probable that the royal couple will be putting their all into festive celebrations with their children.
The prince has stepped up admirably as both his wife and father face major health scares, admitting that 2024 has “probably been the hardest year in my life”.
As she gradually returns to public duties following her chemotherapy treatment, it has been confirmed that the princess will be hosting her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on 6 December.
The whole family may be set to soon pick their Christmas tree together after they were spotted doing so from the Christmas Tree Shop in Berkshire last year, which is near to their home Adelaide Cottage in Windsor.
All of the Waleses are also expected to spend Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House along with the rest of the royals, as is tradition, staying at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
Queen Camilla left ‘heartbroken’ after her beloved Jack Russell is put down
The Queen has been left heartbroken after the death of her beloved dog and “much-loved companion” Beth.
The terrier was adopted by Camilla from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, along with her other dog Bluebell.
Buckingham Palace posted on social media alongside a montage of images of the Queen’s pet: “A sad farewell to Beth, the Queen’s much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties or curled up by the fire.”
My colleague Jabed Ahmed reports:
Queen Camilla ‘heartbroken’ after her beloved Jack Russell is put down
The terrier was adopted by Camilla from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, along with her other dog Bluebell
Royal protection officer sacked for lying about lost bullet at Buckingham Palace
Royal protection officer sacked for lying about lost bullet at Buckingham Palace
Officer dropped magazine from firearm in move that should have led to ‘immediate and full search’ of palace grounds
King Charles birthday: A timeline of the monarch’s life with Prince William and Harry on his 76th milestone
King Charles: A timeline of the monarch’s life on his 76th birthday
Gun salutes will be fired in Green Park by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company as part of the military’s traditional celebrations
Pictured: King returns to Royal Marines training base to meet recruits
The last time someone tried to break in to Windsor Castle
On Christmas Day 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, climbed into the castle grounds with a crossbow and later declared “I’m here to kill the Queen”.
He was jailed for nine years.
On the day he got into the castle grounds, Star Wars fanatic Chail sent a homemade video to family and friends on WhatsApp in which he apologised for what he was about to do and called himself “Darth Chailus”.
He wore dark clothes and a metal mask as he adopted the persona of a Star Wars villain for the video.
In the clip, the defendant, who has Sikh Indian heritage, said he was seeking revenge for the Amritsar massacre in 1919, when British troops opened fire on thousands of Indians and left up to 1,500 dead.
Prince William and Kate suffer security scare as masked men raid Windsor estate at night
Masked thieves have mashed through a security gate at the Windsor Castle estate and stole farm vehicles, according to reports.
Two men scaled a 6ft fence at night and used a stolen truck to break through a gate at the royal venue, according to The Sun.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were sleeping in their home nearby, the publication added.
The men reportedly fled with a pick-up and a quad bike stored in a barn.
The burglary is said to have happened on 13 October.
The King was not in residence but William and Kate were believed to be at Adelaide Cottage with George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Louis.
It is five minutes away and the family are regularly seen using the wrecked gate — the nearest exit to their home.
In a statement to the newspaper, Thames Valley Police said: “At around 11.45pm on Sunday October 13, we received a report of burglary at a property on Crown Estate land near to the A308 in Windsor.
“Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then made off towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area.
“No arrests have been made at this stage and an investigation is ongoing.”
Battersea Dog’s home reacts to death of Queen’s terrier
Peter Laurie, Battersea’s chief executive, said; “We’re very sad to hear that Beth, HM The Queen’s rescue dog, has sadly passed away. Her Majesty, our Patron, rehomed Beth from Battersea in 2011 and we have many fond memories of Beth visiting our centres over the years. Our thoughts are with Their Majesties at this time, we know how difficult it is to lose a beloved pet and Beth was very special indeed.”
Kate Middleton: A timeline of the princess’s year so far
The Princess of Wales is making a steady return to royal duties following what has been one of the most tumultuous years of her life.
In March, Kate confirmed she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer. What followed was a nine-month battle as she underwent “preventative chemotherapy”.
She endured intense online speculation in the weeks leading up to the public announcement and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.
Athena Stavrou has more.
Kate Middleton: A timeline of the princess’s year so far after cancer diagnosis
The Princess of Wales has had an intense year as she underwent cancer treatment
Prince William and Kate Middleton are like ‘two teenagers in love’
Prince William and Kate Middleton are still “very into each other” despite all odds, according to Roya Nikkhah, the royals editor of The Sunday Times.
“When you see them on engagements, they’re obviously still very into each other,” Ms Nikkhah told Fox News.
“One’s always looking out for the other. Recently, when they were in Southport together, you could see that… she was a bit more vulnerable. I think they’ve got each other’s backs.”
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich said that when the Princess of Wales returns to royal duties, Prince William will be by her side.
“A picture tells a thousand words and there have been several times when their affection is reminiscent of two teenagers in love, which of course they initially were, well in their early 20s.”
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