Prince George Helps Make Christmas Pudding with His Father, Grandfather & Great-Grandmother!

Today we had a lovely surprise: new photos of Prince George with his father, grandfather, and great-grandmother. NOTE APR 2024: Photo removed per copyright mandate. 

I wasn’t sure if you would like a post that had no photos of Kate, or if I should limit the coverage to the What Kate’s Kids Wore site, and then thought, “What the heck, it is a fun topic, do it on both sites,” so here we are!

The photos were taken on Wednesday before the Queen’s Christmas lunch, which would explain why William and George arrived separately from Kate, Charlotte, and Louis. The images were released to help launch a new initiative from the Royal British Legion, “Together at Christmas.” In the pictures, you see four generations of the Royal Family preparing special Christmas puddings in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace in December. 

The initiative is designed to provide extra support to the Armed Forces and veteran communities at annual festive ‘get-togethers’ held at the organization’s network of outreach centers. The puddings will be used as centerpieces at functions planned for next Christmas.  More from the Legion’s news release:

Starting in 2020, the annual events will be hosted at high street locations, care homes, membership branches and other locations with the aim of combating the loneliness and isolation experienced by some members of the Armed Forces community at what can be a difficult time of year.

For those of us not familiar with Christmas pudding, it is also called plum pudding, and it originated in medieval England.

More from Wikipedia:

Despite the name “plum pudding”, the pudding contains no actual plums due to the pre-Victorian use of the word “plums” as a term for raisins.^[3] The pudding is traditionally composed of thirteen ingredients, symbolizing Jesus and the Twelve Apostles,^[4][5] including many dried fruits held together by egg and suet, sometimes moistened by treacle or molasses and flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and other spices. The pudding is usually aged for a month or more, or even a year; the high alcohol content of the pudding prevents it from spoiling during this time.

In this instance, the family stirred together four puddings, traditionally said to bring good luck. Below, photos shared on Twitter by ITV’s Chris Ship. 

According to the Legion, “the mixing session at Buckingham Palace was led by Alex Cavaliere, a chef from one of our care homes who created a new Royal British Legion recipe for the launch, with the Royal Family uniquely adding poppy seeds to the mixture, in a nod to the iconic symbol of Remembrance.”

Those who watch the Queen’s Christmas message will see video of the royals working on the puddings.

We don’t see many pictures of Prince George with his great-grandmother, let alone photos of three future kings with HM.  I think the most recent formal images were those taken for commemorative stamps marking HM’s 90th birthday.  NOTE APR 2024: Photo removed per copyright mandate. 

I will have a little more information Prince George’s look posted shortly over at What Kate’s Kids Wore.

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We also have a quick update on Prince Philip, who was hospitalized yesterday. Below you see him at Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May. 

Media reports say this was not an emergency situation and the Duke walked into the hospital under his own power. In a statement yesterday, Buckingham Palace said, “The Duke of Edinburgh traveled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition. The admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s doctor.”

Below, the hospital in a photo taken yesterday. 

There has been no update today on the Duke’s condition. If any new information is released I will update the post.

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And finally today, a bit of Blackwatch tartan in a last-minute gift guide. Let’s start with some accessories: on the far left, the Black Watch Tote ($54.50 with 50% sale at Talbots); the Plaid Bow clutch ($54.50, also 50% off at Talbots); the Biddy Murphy Tweed Purse ($124.95) at Amazon; the Blackwatch Modern Tartan Tote in a cotton/poly blend ($68.99) at the Scottish Shop.  

Some great giftables: a darling Scottie Dog Ornament ($12) as shown at Etsy; the Black Watch Bagpipes Ornament ($14.95) at What On Earth; the Cotton Poplin Eye Mask (about $11.50 with promo code SNOW) at J. Crew; the Blackwatch Plaid Skinny Belt ($19.75 with promo code TICKTOCK) at Ann Taylor.

Shoes can also be fun, including some cute styles at Talbots. From left to right: the Ryan loafers in Black Watch with Joy Wreath ($64.50); the Edison Bow Mule in Black Watch ($59.50); the Edison Wrapped Bow Flat in Highland Green ($64.50). NOTE: These prices reflect Talbots current deal of 50% off your entire order (no promo code needed) as of Dec. 21st. Prices and promotional offers are changing daily, if not hourly, at some online sites, so be sure and check the most recent deal being offered when shopping online.

Here are four more designs; going counterclockwise and starting with No. 1 – the Polly Plaid Bow Block Heel ($69 with promo code TICKTOCK) as seen at Ann Taylor; 2 – the Tartan Sneakers ($74.99) at the Scottish Shop; 3 – the Seavees Huntington Middie Highlands ($108) at Seavees; 4 – the Pendleton Heritage Tall Boots (prices start at $79) at Amazon.

For the guy(s) in your life, we show the Blackwatch Merino Wool Scarf ($47.99) at Vineyard Vines (although this would work equally well on men or women); the Barbour Monty Tartan Print Slipper ($66) at Jones Bootmaker; the Blackwatch Tartan Belt ($78) at Castaway Nantucket. 

More ideas include: on the top left, the Wool Bow Tie in Black Watch Tartan (about $41 with promo code SNOW) at J. Crew; on the bottom, the Blackwatch Kennedy Bow Tie in 100% silk ($55), also at Vineyard Vines; the Men’s Rex Pants in Plaid ($248) at J. McLaughlin; the Vineyard Vines Blackwatch Canvas Club Belt ($41.99); on the far right, the Wool Tie in Plaid ($88), also at J. Mac. 

If in the market for a throw blanket, there’s no shortage. On the left, the Good Tidings Throw in 100% acrylic ($44.75 at Talbots); the Lochcarron of Scotland Black Watch Tartan Lambswool Throw ($160) as shown at Amazon; on the right, Pendleton’s 5th Avenue Black Watch Throw ($189).

A few more options I stumbled upon: the Tartan Blanket Company’s Recycled Wool Blanket Black Watch Tartan ($60) at Amazon; in the center, the Black Watch Plaid Woven Cotton Throw ($36.49) at Overstock; on the right, the Melange Home Watch Blanket ($82.99) in a wool/acrylic blend at Wayfair; 

We’ll see you again on Christmas Day for the traditional walk to church. Until then, an early Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating and early Merry Christmas wishes!

LINKAGE

• Visit the Royal British Legion website here; the organization’s Facebook page is here, and its Twitter feed is here
• Learn more about the Together at Christmas initiative on the Royal British Legion site here; the Legion’s online Poppy Shop is here
• The BBC has a traditional Christmas pudding recipe here; the Royal British Legion has a new recipe on its site here