The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed off their playful side on Tuesday as they pelted each other with fake snowballs at a party for the families of deployed military personnel who will be spending Christmas overseas.
Catherine and Prince William threw open the doors of Kensington Palace as they hosted a festive bash, complete with Santa costumes, fake snow and Christmas jumpers, for the families of personnel from RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham.
The duchess looked stunning as she stepped out for the event in a pleated red tartan skirt which fell to her ankles. The mum-of-three paired the striking skirt with a simple black button-up sweater and a pair of black heeled boots as she wrapped up against the bitter British winter weather.
Giving a glimpse into her own experiences as the wife of a serving member of the armed forces, Catherine also gave a moving speech in which she sympathised with the relatives who would be separated from their loved ones over the holidays.
“I can’t imagine how it feels when your loved ones are away on active service over Christmas or at those special family moments,” she said. “The absence of people you love must be especially hard at this time of year. William and I, however, hope that today shows, in some small way, how much you are all valued.”
The royal couple also played games with the children and helped them make Christmas cards and treats for their loved ones which William and Catherine will take with them on a special Royal Mail flight bound for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Thursday.
The party was held as part of two days of engagements with RAF families as a way of saying thank you to 7,500 military personnel currently serving overseas or away from home.
The rest of the royal family have also been getting into the Christmas spirit recently as the public were given an exclusive glimpse behind the doors of Buckingham Palace as three lavish Christmas trees were erected in the Marble Hall.
Decorated with hundreds of twinkling white lights and regal ornaments, such as miniature crowns and royal carriages, the royal family confirmed that the trees had actually been grown within the grounds of Windsor.