Royal style: Deck the halls with crowns and corgis!

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Previous thread

Actually the more I see of it the more inappropriate I think it is for the kids to take part. It's like having a shed load of inappropriate ageing aunts expecting a hug. They could attend church but not do the walk about.

I don't get the people who want to be there - why are they not with their own families? And now the kids have done it once they will be expected every year.

Queen I think you’re underestimating the potential for the money shot. Look at all those I-phones aimed at little Charlotte. One of them would’ve cleaned up if she’d behaved like a 4 year old could be forgiven for.

I wonder if the people that Charlotte hugged were known to her? As in, people she'd met before because they live on the Sandringham estate. Maybe it was all very carefully staged.

I do think that George looks like the Duke of Windsor when he's serious/anxious, but he looks so much like Michael Middleton when he's smiling.

I think the kids have got to get used to it at some point (if we are to have a monarchy) and that this sort of occasion is probably the most suitable ‘starter’. If they didn’t feel they would cope they wouldn’t have taken them. They are significantly better protected then their royal forebears. I agree the member of the public who went in for the hug shouldn’t have though.

There is an argument that the kids are better off accepting this as ‘normal’ whilst they are very young because for them, it will be.

With all the scandal going on I would have dressed neutrally too I think. It was the obvious choice in hindsight. Fairly surprised at Camilla and Anne going so bright, perhaps Anne was making a point and pissed off at her non inclusion in the ‘slimmed down’ monarchy when she hasn’t actually done anything wrong 😂[joke{

i Don’t understand people hugging children they don’t know. I felt for Charlotte & Kate whose instinct was probably too protect.

Having seen the substantial amounts of photos at the Daily Mail, I really dislike most of the clothes today. Especially the brown coat on Beatrice, black on Eugenie, neither Christmassy at all, and the sea of beige, again not at all festive. Charlotte and George looked very smart and HRM went full festive, good for her. But the long badly fitting coats, just no. Edward's engulfs him and the shape is weird. The Queen and Princess Charlotte get full style points and stand out nicely in a sea of oatmeal beige.

I felt extremely uncomfortable watching that footage. I just feel it’s totally inappropriate to out so much young children in that situation. Really not right .

The film posted earlier is quite uncomfortable to watch. Walking out of the church is one of the few times Kate has looked on edge - before turning on a smile - and i really dont blame her. I would hate my dc to have to run that gauntlet. And they must have it drilled into them how to behave in public eg no nose picking, squabbling etc which must put everyone on edge. Will and Kate clearly reassured the children, were sensitive etc, but even so, it cant be a pleasurable experience. It does seem like they're in a zoo.

Put so young children I meant to say!

Totally inappropriate for a member of the public to make Princess Charlotte go in for a hug. Who does that to complete strangers and especially to a child? She's a tiny child, she did the polite thing but so many boundaries were crossed there. I hope she isn't made to get so close next time, or isn't made to interact until she's much older.

I’m 100% what you said. I would be never allow my child to be hugged by a total stranger. I actually hope they don’t bring out Charlotte & George for a few more years. I think the Phillips girls have only been seen a couple of times, and certainly weren’t made to interact in the same way.

Prince William’s first engagement aged 8

I wonder why they didn’t wait till George was 8 and Charlotte was 6 to do the walkabout.
Xmas day at Sandringham must be the most benign crowd; but I felt for those children.
They did however behave impeccably.

There is definitely something in the training.
Remember how polite William was outside balmoral , afterDiana died....

Agree about Louise's outfit. It's the sort of thing a middle aged dowdy woman might wear. I didn't like Kate's coat. I thought kate looked very tense and unhappy. I wonder whose idea it was to parade the children around and take them to talk to the public. Absolutely awful.

I wonder why they didn’t wait till George was 8 and Charlotte was 6 to do the walkabout.

I suspect that may have rather a lot to do with Duncle Andrew’s behaviour. Toad.

I also agree the hug looked uncomfortable. Even the most devoted fans would have kept a respectful distance in the past.

I actually think cameras should be banned for events like this and press photographers strictly restricted. The sound of mass camera clicking is horrendous and the children shouldn't be exposed to it.

Watched Gavin & Stacey last night. Did anyone else notice that two of Gavin and Stacey's children were called Harry & Megan?

It’s a fine line for the royals & a hard decision - get them used to the intrusion from young or protect them till they are a little older. Their money & status isn’t worth the trade off IMO.

I only looked at photos yesterday, haven’t seen the video till now.
It looked very crowded this year . I think most just wanted to shake hands and just see Charlotte and George. I guess you deal with all sorts of people at these gatherings and you could never be in control .

But I’ve always wondered if it’s becoming a tradition for some? Just like an early morning Christmas walk?

I think DOC is amazing for letting the public get so close to her little children. Such a security risk however well managed. Hope it was a set up and Charlotte knew the lady who hugged her. Really uncomfortable if not.

Loved the DOC coat. The buttons were a fab detail.

Lady Louise I think is doing the teenage girl bit before she becomes a swan. Although she does look more like her father in that double breasted coat. All the money they have she could look amazing, but I guess she is happy experimenting with styles.

I managed to glance at pics yesterday but no time for posting. I thought Kate coat was a win. I could never wear it though as that neckneoukd drive me mad - my cupboard is full of soft silk, cashmere and cotton scarves for warmth and easy adjusting!!

I think charlotte and George are being brought up to see this sort of thing as normal. Even kate still sometimes looks uncomfortable in these situations while the blood royals seem to be more natural. I assume because they are used to it. The church walk is definitely a good intro as mostly a fairly friendly and relaxed crowd, lots of family around too which also justifies additional security (which was clearly present).

V sad about the Norway exdh. To take his own life, things must have been awful ito his mental health. Shed the one with the new boyfriend that everyone thinks is a but dodgy? Terrible for their children. Especially at Christmas.

I do understand that suicide is an act of desperation but the selfishness of it always shocks me. And then I just feel bad for not being more sympathetic to the person involved.

Happy Boxing Day all!

Clothes-wise, I found Kate’s coat a bit meh. Not the best thing she’s worn but not the worst either.

As PP have said, maybe a deliberate strategy (except Anne, Camilla and HMQ!) to be a bit bland.

Really feel for the children who are essentially having to ‘work’ on Christmas Day with no choice or real concept of why. I know it’s the job, they have all the trappings etc etc but still - not easy for W&K to navigate the right path for their family however big some of the other advantages.

Looking at Kate in those videos it struck me that her resting expression is pretty much anxious/cross/unimpressed.

Not a criticism at all - mine’s the same - but I’ve always wondered how she manages to go through life with a broad smile on her face much of the time.

I’ve tried it (for experiment purposes!) and it’s really hard/unnatural to do the broad beam she does as much as she does. But perhaps she thinks/has been told it’s a more positive look than her resting face..?

And lastly how sad about Ari-Behn. Awful thing for his family and of course for him at any time but particularly now.

The British royals do keep their teenage daughters dressed like middle aged matrons. Beatrice and Eugenie were the same. Louise is quite a contrast to Ingrid of Norway or Elisabeth of Belgium who are also in their teens and dress age appropriately but look modern. I guess that might be how she chooses to dress but I'm not sure it is.

Harry and Meghan are in Canada, Vancover Island, according to the Daily Mail.
Perhaps they didn't want to be around UA. It certainly wouldn't sit well with a campaigner for womens rights and empowerment to be around and have to be pleasant to him.

For all the Irish amongst us on this thread - Happy St "Stephenses" Day.

Well quite @beanaseireann, which is why it surprises me that Sophie seems happy to still be around him.

But have we seen sophie in public with him? I imagine he is "that" uncle now who is largely ignored t family events except by his daughters and the off member who feels sorry for him

It’s a big drawing room Queen. I managed to avoid an utter wanker at a party last week simply by ensuring that I was on the opposite side of the room. It was easier than I imagined.