Today, Queen Camilla welcomed children from Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity to Clarence House for her annual festive event. The Queen became Patron of Helen & Douglas House in 2007 and Patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity in 2017.
The opportunity presented to the children was to partake in some festive activities including to help decorate the Christmas tree at the royal residence of Charles and Camilla. Camilla has been welcoming children from the hospices for the last 19 years.
Before the event officially began, Queen Camilla had a lighthearted exchange with Father Christmas.
‘Hello Santa, and a very happy Christmas to you,’ she said, shaking his hand.
Father Christmas replied warmly, ‘I’m pleased to tell you that you are on the good list again this year.’
Surprised and delighted, the Queen responded, ‘Oh, am I? I’m delighted!’ She then received a gift from Father Christmas and thanked him for attending.
Before the families joined the Queen for lunch, they were treated to a performance by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles – Camilla is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment (a role previously held by Prince Philip until 2020).
The main piece of today’s engagement saw Her Majesty’s equerry, Major Ollie Plunket, hanging decorations which had been chosen by the children, to be placed on the Christmas tree using his military sword.
Camilla assisted the children in picking their favourite decorations and playfully asked her Equerry, ‘how’s the swordplay going, Ollie?’
The decorations had been placed on the tree, then it was time for the group to head for a spot of lunch. Today’s menu consisting of bangers and mash, with Her Majesty walking around the table serving the children their food and even pouring the gravy.
After lunch, the Queen received two bouquets of flowers and shared heartfelt words with the attendees. ‘A very, very happy Christmas to you all. It’s been wonderful having you here today,” she said. “For me, this event marks the start of Christmas every year. It’s always such a joy to see how much pleasure it brings to the children and their families, who also deserve support and care.
‘I am so proud to be the patron of these two fantastic charities. This year, we have Father Christmas, though I must apologise — no reindeer! They’re in quarantine. But if you check your party bags, you’ll find a special gift from them.’
Queen Camilla also handed out party bags to the children which contained a number of royal gifts including velvet and gold dressing up crowns, teddies in bearskin hats and reindeer bells on leather straps.
During the event, Camilla reportedly confided to one family that she was looking forward to the end of 2024. This year has been challenging for the Royal Family, with King Charles being diagnosed with cancer and the Princess of Wales also undergoing cancer treatment.
(Featured Image: Royal Family Channel)
