Kate Middleton held a Christmas Eve service – her fourth since the event was organised. She appeared at Westminster Abbey to rapturous cheers from those gathered, each receiving a personal letter from the Princess of Wales. Finishing her difficult year on a festive note, Kate made a bet on a life-affirming red Alexander McQueen coat, which was designed by the author of her wedding dress Sarah Burton. It was accentuated by a large velvet bow on the collar. A similar one was seen this evening on the hair of her daughter, Princess Charlotte. The visibly grown-up 9-year-old granddaughter of the King supported her mum’s image not only with a stylish accessory and a slight curl of hair, but also with a classic Trotters coat in a similar range.
‘It’s a timeless classic, it’s very well cut and very comfortable,’ Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of the brand, tells People. – ‘The coat is made in a small workshop in Portugal, and literally every detail is handmade, from cutting the fabric to making the buttons by hand and sewing on the velvet collar.’
However, it wasn’t just Kate and Charlotte who crossed paths in their outfits. Prince William wore a tie in the tone of his daughter’s coat. And Princes George and Louis completed their suits with scarlet ties – in the tone of Kate’s coat. The most mischievous and direct child in the royal family, 6-year-old Louis, this time did without mischief and funny faces. However, he still found himself in the centre of attention. And all because of a tiny note, which the little prince hung on the ‘tree of kindness’ – Christmas tree, painted with a hundred scarlet papers. On them the guests were invited to write messages of gratitude to those who supported them this year. Such people for Louis were his grandparents.
‘Thank my grandparents for playing with me,’ the boy’s card read.
It is most likely referring to Michael and Carole Middleton, Kate’s parents. They helped their daughter and her husband, Prince William with their children while Kate underwent preventative chemotherapy for cancer. In conversation with guests, the princess admitted that a year ago she could not have imagined that such an ordeal was ahead of her, which was helped by close and caring people.
As a sign of this, each guest at Kate Middleton’s Christmas Eve service received a commemorative sign with a touching illustration by Charlie Mackenzie showing people embracing as they walk towards the Abbey. Accompanying the illustration is the caption: ‘What could I do to help? – You were there for me, and that was what mattered.’
