Kate Middleton’s ‘apology’ over Prince George to well-wishers on Christmas Day
How times have changed. Kate Middleton once found herself apologising to royal fans on Christmas Day — all because Prince George was nowhere to be seen.
Back in 2014, crowds gathered at the Sandringham Estate hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family’s youngest star at the time: 17-month-old Prince George. Many were excited to see Prince William and Kate’s first child as the family made their traditional walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
But when the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared without their son, fans were left surprised.
At the time, Prince George was just one year old, and William and Kate had decided it was best to leave him at home. According to onlookers, the chilly weather played a part in the decision.
One well-wisher told The Mirror that Prince William reassured the crowd, saying George was “doing really well” and had been left at the nursery because it was cold. He reportedly joked that they were looking forward to heading back home to see “what destruction he’s created.”
Another added that the couple said Prince George was “having a lovely day” despite missing the outing.
Kate herself addressed the situation with warmth and humour. When an eight-year-old girl brought a Milky Bar selection box as a gift for George, the princess smiled and said:
“I’m sorry we didn’t bring George, but you would have heard him in the church.”
Royal fans also noticed Kate’s glowing appearance. One admirer recalled telling her she looked beautiful, to which Kate replied politely, adding that she felt “big” — despite not looking it at all.
At the time, Kate was five months pregnant with her second child, Princess Charlotte, who would be born the following May.
Prince George wasn’t the only royal missing that Christmas. Queen Camilla reportedly skipped the church service due to a bad back, while Prince William was said to be dealing with a foot injury that kept him out of a Christmas Eve football match.
Prince Harry, however, was present and in good spirits. Six years before his move to the US, he joined the family at Sandringham and joked with well-wishers, asking whether they could hear the carols — adding that he hoped no one heard his “horrendous” singing.
A Christmas Day that seemed ordinary at the time now feels like a snapshot from a very different royal era.
