Young Royals Shine: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Show Growing Independence
Young Royals Shine: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Show Growing Independence
By Jack Malvern, Senior Editor and Writer
January 5, 2026
A Joyful Christmas Walk
The charming blend of playfulness and grace made the young princes and princess the center of attention during their traditional Christmas walk to church. Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, brought joy to supporters gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate, marking a bright end to a challenging year.
Under a clear blue sky, the royal family, led by the King and Queen, walked purposefully on their quarter-mile journey to the 11 am service.
Showing Independence
On their way back, the Wales children displayed their growing independence. They separated from their parents for the first time to hug, shake hands, and greet the public, all under the watchful eyes of William and Kate.
Prince Louis showed his playful side when he spotted a spectator holding a large red Lindt Lindor milk chocolate ball. The Prince of Wales, wearing a Fair Isle patterned scarf, exclaimed, “What is that?” as he received the chocolate ball meant for Louis.
Without hesitation, Louis quickly grabbed the chocolate from his father, hugged it tightly, and didn’t seem to want to let go. William laughed and said, “Yeah, Louis, I thought that might happen,” ruffling his youngest son’s hair.
A nearby spectator told HELLO!: “Louis snatched it right out of William’s hands. He did a little twirl and hugged it. He didn’t seem to want to move on. He didn’t want to let that one go.”
Sibling Support and Public Interaction
Beyond the excitement of receiving gifts, the walk allowed the children to practice what their parents teach them about connecting with the public.
In a touching moment, the Wales family came together while shaking hands with an excited fan who told George that “Granny Diana” would be very proud of him. George kept a formal distance while Charlotte stepped up beside him, placing a supportive hand on his lower back.
George impressed the crowd as he stepped forward to shake hands and pose for photos, wishing bystanders a merry Christmas and smiling for the camera. The future king thanked the public for their gifts of chocolates and cuddly toys.
“He showed quiet confidence and maturity,” one spectator said. “It’s amazing to think that he’ll be a teenager next year when he does this again.”
Charming Princess Charlotte
Charlotte seemed the most at ease. The princess hugged two spectators and stood with others for selfies.
One fan described her as having star quality. “I was so impressed by how well-mannered and charming they were, how gracefully they carried themselves. They do it with such ease, especially Charlotte. She’s trailing behind her brothers, doing her own thing.”
