Arms around each other and beaming for the camera, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis show the close bond that has helped cement their place in people’s affections, at the end of a year in which we have increasingly seen the trio step out in public.
We have watched the Prince and Princess of Wales’s children blossom and mature, from their starring roles at the coronation to their sweet carol singing at their mother’s Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey and their appearance at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day.
The charming new black-and-white photo was taken by Josh Shinner at the same sitting as the image used by Prince William and Kate for their Christmas card. Released on Christmas Day, it caps a momentous year for the young royals – and 2024 will see their parents continue to introduce them gently to their future roles while keeping family life as normal as possible.
PLAYING THEIR PART
Since moving to Windsor in 2022, the Waleses have thrown themselves into community life at Lambrook, the prep school attended by George, ten, Charlotte, eight, and five-year-old Louis. Sources tell hello! that, as well as doing the school run, William and Kate also went to special events over the festive period.
“They’re such hands-on parents; they wouldn’t miss a school event,” the source says. “The day after Kate’s carol service, it was the school Christmas fair and they were all there, as they were the previous year. I saw them queuing up for tombola tickets like everyone else. They really act like a normal mum and dad. Then it was the school carol concert, held at Eton College Chapel. William and Kate slipped in just before it started and sat next to the headmaster. They sang along to all the carols – again, just involved normal parents.”
Our source says the royal children are popular and that Louis, who has kept the world entertained with his cheeky antics at big events, continues to keep the grown-ups on their toes.
“They’re lovely kids,” the source continues. “Charlotte is so kind and friendly and the other children adore her. She’s kind to the kids in younger years and she’s very popular. George seems like a nice boy, too, and little Louis just has so much energy.
