| CROWN II | 👑👑

CHAPTER 39 : A UNIQUE ROYAL CHRISTMAS

Date: December 2020
Place: Anmer Hall, Windsor Castle, Sandringham, Highgrove, London Palladium

December 2020 arrived in the midst of uncertainty and continued isolation, yet for the Cambridge family, the holiday season provided an opportunity to reflect on what truly mattered: family, health, and the shared spirit of kindness. This year's Christmas celebrations would look different from any other, but the essence of the season remained unchanged. For Matilda, her siblings, and her parents, it was a holiday marked by meaningful moments, quiet reflection, and a deep sense of gratitude for the year gone by.

The Cambridge family had always been known for their commitment to tradition, but 2020 had forced everyone to rethink the way they celebrated the holidays. With COVID-19 still at the forefront of the nation's concerns, the usual large gatherings and festive events were replaced with smaller, more intimate affairs. Matilda and her siblings, George, Charlotte, and Louis, had no grand Christmas parties or public appearances this year. Instead, they spent most of the season quietly at Anmer Hall, their country retreat in Norfolk, where William and Kate focused on giving their children as normal a Christmas as possible.

On Christmas Eve, the family gathered around the fireplace in the sitting room. The house was cozy, decorated with pine garlands and twinkling lights, the soft scent of pine filling the air. Despite the challenges of the year, the Cambridges were determined to make the most of their time together.

Matilda, who was now 9 years old, was particularly excited. She and her siblings had already helped decorate the house, carefully hanging their stockings by the fireplace and placing ornaments on the Christmas tree. Their favorite moment, however, came when they finally hung the star on top of the tree—a tradition that had been passed down in the Cambridge family for generations. Matilda stood on a small step stool, carefully placing the shining star atop the tree, her eyes wide with pride.

"Perfect," Kate said as she stepped back to admire the tree, the lights sparkling in the dimmed room. "I think that's the most beautiful tree we've ever had."

William, standing beside Kate with a smile, nodded in agreement. "You've done a great job, Matilda. It looks like a picture from a Christmas storybook."

Matilda beamed with happiness, her heart swelling with warmth as she looked at her family. This was the first Christmas that felt truly personal to her—one she would always remember.

Later that evening, they all sat down to a quiet family meal. There were no grand state dinners this year, just simple, comforting food that made them feel close to one another. Matilda and her siblings were delighted by the traditional Christmas fare, their plates filled with roast meats, vegetables, and, of course, plenty of Christmas pudding for dessert.

After dinner, the children settled by the fire with their parents, sipping hot cocoa and listening to Christmas music. Matilda, always the curious one, asked her mother, "Mom, do you think Christmas will always feel like this? Different, but still special?"

Kate looked down at her daughter with a tender smile. "I think so, sweetheart. No matter what changes in the world around us, Christmas is about being together, feeling loved, and giving thanks for what we have. That never changes."

George and Charlotte snuggled up next to Kate, and William lifted Louis onto his knee. The family shared a quiet, peaceful evening together, savoring the simplicity of the moment. In a year that had been full of challenges and uncertainty, this was the greatest gift of all: the comfort of family.

The Performance at the London Palladium

In a gesture of appreciation for the countless frontline workers who had been battling the pandemic throughout the year, the royal family, including Matilda and her siblings, attended a socially distanced performance at the London Palladium for families of essential workers. The event was an attempt to bring some joy to those who had sacrificed so much during the crisis, and for the Cambridges, it was an opportunity to honor their dedication.