Princess Charlotte, the third in line to the throne, recently had to return a luxurious gift she received as a newborn. The now nine-year-old princess was given a stunning item worth £36,000 when she was born in May 2015. However, due to strict royal protocols, she was not allowed to keep this extravagant present.
The gift in question was from the Natural Sapphire Company, which presented a lavish baby rattle made from 18ct white gold and adorned with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies to form a Union Jack design. The company explained on their website the reason behind their generous gesture towards Princess Charlotte. They stated, “When Kate and William were engaged with the iconic blue sapphire ring that once belonged to Princess Diana, our sapphire ring sales skyrocketed. Women everywhere wanted to emulate Kate’s fashion sense. Today, we continue to thrive as a business, and it is with great joy that we commemorate the birth of a new royal.”
Although it appears that Princess Charlotte never actually played with the rattle, it was reported back in 2015 that Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, likely did not retain the precious gift. Kensington Palace has a policy of not accepting gifts from businesses, which explains why the gift had to be returned.
Even though Princess Charlotte did not get to keep the extravagant baby toy, she certainly was not left without any special keepsakes from her early days. Her grandfather, King Charles, gifted her a handcrafted wavy willow shaker worth £25. This thoughtful gesture demonstrates the close bond between the royal family members.
King Charles is known for his generous gifts to his grandchildren, as seen in the installation of a Victorian-style Shepherd’s hut at his Gloucestershire home, Highgrove House, for Prince George’s first birthday. This hut, gifted by Dorset-based company Plankbridge, features a wood-burning stove and a day bed, making it a perfect play spot for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
During an appearance on The One Show, King Charles shared his commitment to sustainability by discussing the importance of living more sustainably. The interview took place in Prince George’s Wood, a woodland named in honor of his eldest grandson. King Charles explained the sentimental reason behind naming the woodland after Prince George, stating, “This was a rather empty field that the farm didn’t need anymore. The great thing was that I managed to plant it the same year that my grandson was born, the eldest, George, so I thought I’d call it Prince George’s wood.”
Despite not being able to keep the extravagant gift from the Natural Sapphire Company, Princess Charlotte is surrounded by love and thoughtful gestures from her family members, ensuring that she has cherished memories and keepsakes from her early years as a member of the royal family.