Overview
- On December 11 at Clarence House, the Queen hosted 10 children with life-limiting conditions for her annual festive gathering.
- She personally served a lunch of sausages, mashed potatoes and peas, telling guests the celebration signals the start of Christmas for her.
- Children decorated the tree, met Father Christmas and reindeer Blitzen and Dancer, and sat in Queen Victoria’s state sleigh designed by Prince Albert.
- Incoming equerry Major Rob Treasure made his public debut by using his ceremonial sword to place ornaments, with outgoing equerry Major Ollie Plunket also assisting.
- Plunket remains in post this month and is scheduled to relinquish the role and receive the Royal Victorian Order later in December, as charities thanked the Queen for two decades of support.