Following the announcement of his impending arrive in December 2012, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received hundreds of gifts for their son, Prince George, as they carried out engagements across the country.
In total George has received almost 1300 gifts and presents from members of the public, officials, organisations and charities. Take a look at some of the unusual things he received below.
You can read about gifts to other members of the Royal Family, including The Queen, here.
On his first official tour in New Zealand and Australia, the Prince received at least 16 soft toys, plus another 239 ‘games and toys’, the most popular gifts to George, sensible items for a future King who was not yet 1 year old.
Some of the more interesting and unusual presents include:
- two pairs of sheepskin boots;
- a rocking horse from The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales;
- a skateboard;
- a sleepsuit;
- two footballs;
- a possum skin cloak from the Gundungurra Tribal Council Aboriginal Corporation;
- a polo mallet;
- a surfing shirt and a swimming cap;
- a hamper;
- a placemat and coaster;
- a toothbrush;
- sporting equipment, including a miniature speedboat, cricket bat, and bicycle;
- various items of clothing including baseball caps, jumpers and sports shirts;
As The Duke travelled to Malta on behalf of his ill wife, William received even more items from the public and organisations. The President of Malta gifted a miniature Maltese Cross to the Prince, and more soft toys were received.
Whilst in New York, in just three days when he was still in the UK, his parents received 14 gifts for George. This included a miniature academic gown, from the University of St. Andrews, where his parents met; numerous soft toys and books, along with two dressing gowns, and a basketball shirt, seen being given to William and Catherine below.
Other miscellaneous items listed for George include: a piece of stationery, a piece of jewellery, a musical instrument, a piece of furniture and a cushion.
The Duke and Duchess were not the only ones being given gifts for their son, as Prince Charles also received numerous items to pass onto his first grandchild.
In Canada, the young Prince received:
- two dream catchers,
- a pair of slippers,
- a tartan blanket,
- a watercolour sketch,
- a flying jacket (ironically featuring the American flag),
- a pewter teddy,
- a basket figurine
In South America, people handed over gifts to Charles that comprised of a wooden model train, more toys and more books. A popular Prince!
Unusually, I think, Prince Harry did not receive any gifts on behalf of his nephew.
Some of the gifts George received are being used, and the others put into storage. There is usually a committee that decides whether to keep a gift or dispose of it, but The Cambridges have opted to store these items instead.
Featured image: TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/PA Wire
