Can Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Keep Christmas Gifts From the Public? Inside Royal Protocol

Can Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Keep Christmas Gifts From the Public? Inside Royal Protocol

Prince George – Princess Charlotte – Even the royal children are delighted by holiday gifts!

When Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis join the rest of the family on the traditional Christmas Day walk to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, they’re greeted each year by armfuls of gifts from the public, including flowers, chocolate, books and plush figures.

All three children were showered with offerings in 2024, and the youngest, Louis, especially so — he was given so many presents that he needed his father, Prince William, to help carry them.

However, do Louis, George and Charlotte get to keep the items presented to them by well-wishers? Here’s what the official royal gift policy states, plus the criteria the presents must meet.

On Dec. 25, George, Charlotte and Louis join their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and the rest of the royal family for a morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate grounds.

Afterwards, they all enjoy a walkabout, where they greet the public. During that time, well-wishers generally present the children with various gifts.

The official royal gift policy states that members of the royal family may accept gifts from individuals not personally known to them, including the public.

Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George (top right) attend the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

What are the official royal rules on presents?

The gifts that George, Charlotte and Louis, and any other royal family member, can keep must meet certain criteria.

Flowers, food and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities) are acceptable, as are copies of books presented by an author, provided the subject matter is not controversial. Other items of smaller monetary value may also be kept by royals, specifically those that cost less than 150 pounds (which converts to $200 as of mid-December 2025).

The policy recommends returning gifts to the donor if the royal family thinks another organization could make better use of them. As for official gifts, those can only be used by members of the royal family or put on display. According to Hello!, those presents automatically become part of the Royal Collection.

How long have the royal children received gifts from the public?

The public has been gifting royals with presents for at least a century, if not longer. In July 2014, the “Royal Childhood” exhibit opened at Buckingham Palace, displaying offerings spanning 250 years.

“Royals have always been given presents — by the public, by officials, by VIPs when they have gone to foreign countries and when they are taking in state visits, too,” Camilla Tominey, NBC News’ royal correspondent, told Today in July 2014. “All these gifts have to be registered on a list, so you could go back 100 years and see the kind of gifts they’re given, which vary enormously according to time.”

There have been photos of William and his brother, Prince Harry, receiving gifts during Christmas walkabouts in the 1980s and 1990s, just like the future king’s children do today. When the princes were young, stuffed animals were a popular choice for them.

What was the Christmas Day walkabout like for Prince William, Kate Middleton and the royal children in 2024?

After a challenging year that saw both Kate and King Charles diagnosed with cancer, the royal family of five seemed to enjoy mingling with the public.

In fact, the Princess of Wales enjoyed it so much that she got lost in conversation with well-wishers. When William and their kids wound up far ahead of her, Kate was overheard saying, “I seem to have lost my family!”

As she got caught up chatting, William was photographed laughing with George and Charlotte.

“Look at that doggy! Are they in a pram?” William asked, per Hello! (A pram is another term for a baby carriage.)

Through their giggles, he continued, “Have you hijacked someone else’s pram, or is that your dog’s pram?”

When the owner confirmed to the future king that the pram did, in fact, belong to her dog, William laughed again and added, “Have a wonderful Christmas!”

He and his family eventually headed back to Sandringham House for the annual Christmas lunch that awaited them.

What was the special gift Prince Louis received in 2024?

Louis was given so many gifts that he had to ask his father, “Papa, can you carry some?”

One special present the young prince received was from 6-year-old Rupert Bradley, who Hello! reported gave Louis a hand-finished silver egg cup and spoon bearing Louis’ grandfather King Charles’ Coronation Commemorative Mark. Sweetly, Rupert — who is the same age as Louis — received the gift in his own Christmas stocking and wanted to pass the present on to Louis as a kind gesture.

“Rupert has always loved Prince Louis,” Kay Bradley, Rupert’s mother, told the publication. “They were born within a few days of each other, so that’s why he feels a connection.”

What does Prince William suggest are good gifts for his three children?

William appeared grateful for the ample gifts his three kids received.

At one point, he was prompted to share his remark on what types of presents were best for each of his children.

“Flowers [pointing at Charlotte], chocolate [pointing at George and Louis] — very easy!” William reportedly said (via Hello!).

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