What Happens to the Gifts Given to the Royal Family's Children?

Members of the British public often present gifts to the royal family during their Christmas walkabout – but what ultimately happens to these presents?

Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, are typically the royal family members who receive gifts from the public on Christmas. It turns out that Buckingham Palace does indeed have an official policy regarding gifts for the royal family. In order for the children to keep items given to them, certain specific conditions must be met.

Hello! Magazine previously reported that royal protocol dictates the royal family “are not allowed to retain particular gifts, no matter how graciously they initially accept them.” Instead, these items will be added to the Royal Collection.

However, there is a slight exception when it comes to the children.

The seven-page “royal gift policy” published on the royal family’s official website notes that George, Charlotte and Louis can accept flowers, food, and other consumable items — of reasonable quality — from individuals not personally known to the royal family.

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Books that are not controversial are also accepted, but only if they are presented by the author. The children can also take items of “small monetary value,” which cost less than $200. The royal family will return gifts to the giver if they believe another organization could benefit from them.

George, Charlotte and Louis join their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, for the annual walkabout at Sandringham every Christmas. Other traditions for the family include attending mass at St. Mary Magdalene Church before listening to King Charles III’s Christmas address.

This year, the holidays with the royal family are maintaining a positive atmosphere following recent health challenges and scandals.

“The celebration may have a slightly sentimental feel,” a source told Us Weekly exclusively in our cover story earlier this month. “However, it will also be a time of celebration, particularly after Kate received positive news regarding her health.”

The insider added, “They all want to make the most of their time together.”

While Kate, 43, entered remission earlier this year after a lengthy battle with cancer, Charles, 77, is still under medical care.

“Charles prioritizes his duties, but he is also a family man who understands that his time is precious,” the same source continued. “He wants a special Christmas this year, potentially his last.”

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Charles is expected to participate in the annual walkabout.

“Nothing would prevent Charles from doing that,” the source said, referring to the family’s Christmas traditions. “He will fulfill all expectations and more.”

The same insider said that Charles hopes to have “a traditional holiday with all the royals” this time around. “Every family Christmas is cherished, but it’s especially so for him this year.”

The royal family’s Christmas celebration follows the king’s sharing of a positive message about his cancer battle in a video released on December 12.

“Today I am pleased to share with you the good news that, thanks to early diagnosis, effective treatment, and following ‘doctors’ orders,’ my schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year,” he said. “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testament to the remarkable advancements that have been made in cancer care in recent years; a testament that I hope may offer encouragement to the 50 percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”