King Charles, Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton in 2022.Photo: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Charlesdid not attend his daughter-in-law’s holiday event, but there was a practical reason for his absence: the monarch, 75, was at an engagement at his Highgrove Estate in Gloucestershire, more than 100 miles away from the Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey in London.
The move may also have been strategic. Princess Kate is hosting the event, and the King may want to ensure that all eyes are on his daughter-in-law on her special day.
Queen Camillawas also absent from the holiday event.
Although King Charlesattended the eventlast year with Queen Camilla, the couple did not attend the inaugural Christmas concert in 2021.
King Charles and Kate Middleton in 2021.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty
Lauren Kiehna ofThe Court Jewellertells PEOPLE, “Kate has always signaled that she’d like to emulate the Queen Mother’s royal role and wearing her jewels is an important symbol of that continuity. It’s fitting that Kate — likely with some assistance from King Charles — would choose to wear the tiara exactly a hundred years after the Queen Mother originally received it. The piece is an antique that wasn’t fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.”
While speaking at the state banquet speech during his state visit to Kenya in October withQueen Camilla, the monarch touched on how his sonPrince Williamproposed to Kate in the country in 2010, affectionately calling her “my beloved daughter-in-law” in the address.
Kate Middleton wears the Strathmore Rose Tiara on Nov. 21, 2023.YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty
And while Princess Kate always shows respect to the monarch, dipping intopicture-perfect curtsiesto greet him, the pair often show affection toward each other. They often say hello with a warm hug and kisses on the cheek — and Kate has even been spottedcalling him “Grandpa.”
With the event centered around children’s well-being, it was the perfect opportunity for all three of Princess Kate and Prince William’s children to attend for the first time. WhilePrince GeorgeandPrincess Charlottesupported their mom at the Christmas carol concert last year, this time markedPrince Louis’debut!
Before entering Westminster Abbey, George, 10, Charlotte, 8, and Louis, 5, mailed letters to other kids who might be struggling this year. According toroyal reporter Rebecca English, each wrote their own cards.
Prince William, Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at Christmas concert on Dec. 8, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attend Christmas concert on Dec. 8, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty
source: people.com
