The News
Lavish Gifts and Family Traditions: The Royal Tale of Princess Charlotte and Lilibet
Princess Charlotte, the beloved middle child of Prince William and Princess Kate, has been showered with extravagant gifts throughout her young life.
At just 8 years old, she has already received a stunning 18k white gold rattle adorned with sapphires, rubies, and diamonds, creating a Union Jack flag design.
This luxurious present, valued at £35,426, was a token of appreciation from the Natural Sapphire Company to William and Kate, following a surge in sales of sapphire engagement rings after their engagement.
Despite the grand gesture, Kensington Palace adhered to its policy of not accepting gifts from commercial entities and returned the lavish baby toy.
However, Princess Charlotte's collection of presents did not end there.
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, made a generous donation of £79,000 to Immunise Canada in her honor, along with a snowsuit and a book.
Additionally, her grandfather, King Charles, gifted her a willow rattle by Irish artisan Ciaran Hogan, while Aunt Pippa Middleton chose practicality by presenting biodegradable nappies made from natural mool cloth.
In stark contrast, Meghan Markle's children, Archie and Lilibet, did not receive gifts from King Charles or other members of the royal family.
This was not due to familial discrimination but simply because the children have not been introduced to the royal family yet.
As the Sussex children spent another Christmas without meeting their grandfather, Prince Harry shared insights into their holiday traditions in his memoir Spare Prints.
Detailing their Christmas in Montecito, California, Harry recounted how they purchased a large tree from a local shop to adorn their home.
Meghan surprised him with an ornament featuring Queen Elizabeth's likeness, which unfortunately met an untimely demise when Archie accidentally knocked it off the tree.
Despite the mishap, the family found joy in the small moments of togetherness during the festive season.
Reflecting on the humorous incident, Harry described Archie's attempt to fix the broken ornament with water, unaware of its significance.
Meghan's thoughtful gesture and the lighthearted atmosphere surrounding the mishap highlighted the couple's bond and resilience amidst their non-traditional Christmas celebrations.
While Princess Charlotte enjoyed opulent gifts from her family and well-wishers, the Sussex children created their own cherished memories in a different setting, shaping their unique holiday traditions.