01of 20Prince William and Kate Middleton at a holiday party in 2018.Yui Mok/PA Images/GettyPrince WilliamandKate Middletonhave officially kicked off their holiday celebrations!
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Prince William and Kate Middleton at a holiday party in 2018.Yui Mok/PA Images/Getty
Prince WilliamandKate Middletonhave officially kicked off their holiday celebrations!
02of 20Prince William and Kate Middleton at a party in 2018.Samir Hussein/WireImageOn Tuesday in London, the couple hosted a party for military families at Kensington Palace.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton at a party in 2018.Samir Hussein/WireImage
On Tuesday in London, the couple hosted a party for military families at Kensington Palace.
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Yui Mok/PA Images/Getty
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Prince William and Kate Middleton.Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
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06of 20Prince William and Kate Middleton.Stuart C. Wilson/GettyThe event, in partnership with theRoyal British Legioncharity, was held at the palace’s Orangery, just a few hundred yards from where Prince William and Princess Kate live with their childrenPrince George, 5,Princess Charlotte, 3, andPrince Louis, 7 months. The area was decked out with Christmas trees and other decorations – and of course, there was an appearance from Santa Claus!
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The event, in partnership with theRoyal British Legioncharity, was held at the palace’s Orangery, just a few hundred yards from where Prince William and Princess Kate live with their childrenPrince George, 5,Princess Charlotte, 3, andPrince Louis, 7 months. The area was decked out with Christmas trees and other decorations – and of course, there was an appearance from Santa Claus!
07of 20Prince William and Kate Middleton.Stuart C. Wilson/GettyKate gave a speech recalling whenPrince Williamserved as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force.
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Kate gave a speech recalling whenPrince Williamserved as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force.
08of 20Stuart C. Wilson/Getty"As someone whose husband has served, I know how hard it feels when a loved one leaves to do the job they trained for," she said. “When William served doing search and rescue, I remember how I felt, but I can’t imagine how it feel when your loved ones are away on active service during Christmas. The absence of people you love must be especially hard at this time of year.”
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Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
“As someone whose husband has served, I know how hard it feels when a loved one leaves to do the job they trained for,” she said. “When William served doing search and rescue, I remember how I felt, but I can’t imagine how it feel when your loved ones are away on active service during Christmas. The absence of people you love must be especially hard at this time of year.”
09of 20REX/ShutterstockThe royal couple spent an hour and a quarter chatting to the families at the party as musicians from the Honourable Artillery Company played Christmas carols.
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REX/Shutterstock
The royal couple spent an hour and a quarter chatting to the families at the party as musicians from the Honourable Artillery Company played Christmas carols.
10of 20Kate Middleton.REX/ShutterstockWilliam and Kate helped make the festive treats and cards and joined in one game, Santa’s Footsteps, in which they had to pretend to be reindeer seeking sweets.
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Kate Middleton.REX/Shutterstock
William and Kate helped make the festive treats and cards and joined in one game, Santa’s Footsteps, in which they had to pretend to be reindeer seeking sweets.
11of 20Kate Middleton.REX/ShutterstockKate also briefly joined in a snowball fight with the children before thinking better of it and handing her cotton wool snowballs over to the children.
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Kate also briefly joined in a snowball fight with the children before thinking better of it and handing her cotton wool snowballs over to the children.
12of 20REX/Shutterstock"[Kate] appreciates what wives and families go through," Natalie Bressani, whose husband is serving, told PEOPLE.
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“[Kate] appreciates what wives and families go through,” Natalie Bressani, whose husband is serving, told PEOPLE.
13of 20REX/ShutterstockOne woman asked William why he had not brought his own children to the party. As he crouched down making truffles with RAF children, he replied: “Because I can’t do this and look after the children.”
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One woman asked William why he had not brought his own children to the party. As he crouched down making truffles with RAF children, he replied: “Because I can’t do this and look after the children.”
14of 20REX/ShutterstockKate also made sure to indugle in some sweet treats!
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Kate also made sure to indugle in some sweet treats!
15of 20Prince William hosts military personnel.REX/ShutterstockWilliam suggested making sweets was his forte at this time of year. “She does the cards, and I do the chocolate,” he said, gesturing to his wife.
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Prince William hosts military personnel.REX/Shutterstock
William suggested making sweets was his forte at this time of year. “She does the cards, and I do the chocolate,” he said, gesturing to his wife.
16of 20Yui Mok/PA Images/GettyEven Santa Claus made an appearance to the Christmas bash!
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Even Santa Claus made an appearance to the Christmas bash!
17of 20Yui Mok/PA Images/GettyThe festivities took place a day before the royal parents fly out to the Royal Air Force base on Cyprus to visit the troops and deliver Christmas cards and gifts from their loved ones back home in the U.K.
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The festivities took place a day before the royal parents fly out to the Royal Air Force base on Cyprus to visit the troops and deliver Christmas cards and gifts from their loved ones back home in the U.K.
18of 20Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/GettyOn Wednesday, the royal couple will meet with serving personnel, those living on the base, station staff and members of the local community.
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Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
On Wednesday, the royal couple will meet with serving personnel, those living on the base, station staff and members of the local community.
19of 20Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
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20of 20Prince William and Kate Middleton.Yui Mok/PA Images/GettyAs William and Kate departed, members of their team tossed snowballs to them. William caught one before tossing it back, and Kate caught one as well, holding it as they walked away.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton.Yui Mok/PA Images/Getty
As William and Kate departed, members of their team tossed snowballs to them. William caught one before tossing it back, and Kate caught one as well, holding it as they walked away.
source: people.com
