Prince William learned early on in his relationship with Princess Catherine that buying gifts for a future princess is no small task. According to the Prince of Wales, one of his first gifts to his current wife was so out of the ordinary that she still brings it up to him.
William admitted that he once gave Catherine a pair of binoculars during an interview with Peter Crouch on BBC Radio Five Live. The surprise present left Catherine perplexed and is remembered as a pivotal point in their romance.
A Questionable Gift Choice
William, 42, remembered the blunder while having a lighthearted discussion about unusual presents. “I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once – she’s never let me forget that,” he acknowledged. “That was early on in the courtship. I think that sealed the deal. It didn’t go well.”
Even William was puzzled by his own decision. “Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars,” he added. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
A Chronicle Of Peculiar Royal Presents
The royal family has a long history of giving gifts in an unusual way, especially during the Christmas season. They choose to exchange humorous and lighthearted gifts instead of expensive ones.
A bath hat bearing the words “Ain’t life a b*tch,” which Prince Harry gave to the late Queen, is among the most memorable presents. At one point, Catherine made fun of Prince Harry’s reputation for high-profile romances by giving him a “grow-your-own-girlfriend kit.”
Christmas Traditions
Due to their German ancestry, the royal family also observes distinctive Christmas customs. Instead of on Christmas Day, gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve. Before getting together at 6 p.m. to start the unwrapping, family members arrange their gifts in designated piles in the afternoon.
The gift-exchanging was once supervised by the late Prince Philip, who gave his blessing for each recipient to open their gift. The family remains united throughout the holiday season thanks to these customs.
A Challenging Year For The Royals
After a difficult year, the royal family is celebrating Christmas with extra meaning this year. Princess Catherine recently finished preventative chemotherapy, and King Charles III is still receiving treatment for cancer.
Catherine wrote a heartfelt letter to the audience of her yearly Christmas concert, reflecting on the value of love, empathy, and connection in trying times. She wrote that “Christmas is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.”
Lessons In Gift-Giving
It’s evident that William and Catherine’s relationship has only gotten stronger over time, despite his initial misstep. The tale of the binoculars serves as a humorous reminder of their early years together, even though the couple probably now exchange more considerate gifts.
The couple’s admirers enjoy learning about these intimate moments because they highlight the human side of royal life. Furthermore, William has acknowledged that he is unlikely to ever fully recover from that gift.
