After a busy run of engagements, the Princess of Wales will be spending some time with her children as the autumn half-term school holiday starts for the youngsters
William and Kate with Prince George(Image: AP)
The autumn half-term holiday is upon us – and it can only mean one thing for the Princess of Wales.
After a busy few weeks that have included a glitzy state visit, an emotional outing in Southport, and a day trip to Northern Ireland, Kate will no doubt be looking forward to some protected family time with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The trio have already headed off on their break from their school Lambrook, with both Kate and Prince William nearly always taking time away from duty during the holidays so the five can all be together.
READ MORE: Kate Middleton reveals Prince Louis’ dream future plans but warns it’ll be hard workREAD MORE: Prince William shows true colours over Prince Harry after warning of major change
William and Kate with their three children (Image: Getty Images)
This year’s half-term holiday comes at a crunch point for the family as William and Kate prepare for the busy lead-up to Christmas with engagements and projects galore, while at the same time preparing for a huge house move, from Adelaide Cottage to Forest Lodge, elsewhere on the Windsor estate.
And former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told the Mirror that the short autumn break could not come at a better time for the Wales family.
She explained: “They’ve come in for some criticism for the number of overseas holidays they’ve taken over the past year, so perhaps this half term will be one to spend at home.
“Of course, by then, it’s possible that the family may have moved into their new house, Forest Lodge, which will seem like a holiday in itself. But that may still be some weeks off. So, if the renovations are still underway, I expect they’ll head up to Norfolk to enjoy the wide open skies and sea air.
“Somehow they seem to manage a fair bit of freedom in the countryside and on the beaches near Anmer Hall. And it must be so liberating for them to be able to leap over the sand dunes or walk the dogs, almost like any other family.”
Due to Kate’s love of nature, outdoor pursuits such as bracing walks, bike rides and even bouncing on the trampoline – a favourite past time of Charlotte – look set to be on the agenda.
Kate talks to one youngsters about their artwork during an outing in Frogmore Gardens (Image: AP)
Meanwhile, last month, Kate revealed another favourite hobby of youngest son, seven-year-old Louis, which is perfect for this time of year – collecting conkers.
While meeting Scouts with US First Lady Melania Trump several weeks ago, the princess told Chief Scout Dwayne Fields that she finds them all over their home.
She laughed: “We keep finding conkers in cupboards, in his bed – conkers everywhere!” She added that her son even puts the conkers in his toy trucks and plays with them.
Meanwhile, another big event, which is set to coincide with the children’s time away from class, is Halloween. The family seem to be fond fans of the spooky celebration as in 2019, Kate was spotted browsing in their local Sainsburys in King’s Lynn in Norfolk for children’s Halloween costumes and other treats.
While several years later, Kate was seen taking her children trick-or-treating near their Kensington Palace home. It was revealed by Jay Rutland, the husband of F1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone, who lives close to the London palace and reportedly knocked on their door as part of the outing.
Kate with her children
It seems their love of trick-or-treating is a long-standing Middleton family tradition after Kate’s mum Carole, previously spoke about her favourite part of the autumn season.
Writing on her former company Party Pieces Instagram account, she said: “Halloween is an Autumn highlight for me. I can still remember the fun and frights from my own childhood; the chance to dress up, decorate pumpkins and go trick-or-treating! I’ve even grown my own pumpkins this year, so I’m looking forward to decorating those with my loved ones.”
And Jennie added: “Catherine is so in tune with nature these days, and finds it so restorative, that I think she enjoys all the rituals that go with the passing seasons. And that goes for Halloween as well. It always seems like a celebration of the height of autumn, with winter just on the horizon.
“And these days young families make such a joyful fuss about Halloween: the masks, the lanterns, the pumpkins and all the paraphernalia that go to make a spooky party.”
However, with eldest son Prince George now reaching the age of 12 – and heading off to secondary school next September – dressing up for Halloween might not be on the cards for much longer as he enters his teenage years.
William and Kate cuddle up to George, Charlotte and Louis (Image: PA)
Jennie added: “From what we recently learned about George – William divulged that his son was quite a different character behind doors to the rather serious, impeccably behaved boy we see in public – I should think he still enjoys some boisterous Halloween fun with his siblings.
“But life is obviously going to change for the family when George goes to his new school. He’ll probably start feeling a bit more independent and grown-up.”
After the holidays, the Royal Family will head into their traditionally busy period as the weeks countdown to Christmas. Next month will see William and Kate no doubt join the rest of the Firm, marking Remembrance events culminating at the traditional sombre service at the Cenotaph in Central London to honour the war dead.
Then, it will be the jam-packed lead up to the festive season, with events such as the Diplomatic Corps reception before King Charles is expected to host his relatives for the annual Royal Family Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Kate at her annual Christmas Carol Concert(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
But before all of that, there will also be personal projects for William and Kate to get stuck into and organise as well. Last month, it was confirmed Kate’s now traditional Christmas carol concert will take place at Westminster Abbey again this year.
In a report for the Prince and Princess of Waleses’ Royal Foundation, it said: “Finally, to close 2025, the ‘Together at Christmas’ will once again aim to bring together communities across the UK to celebrate people who have gone out of their way to help others with even more impactful local services.”
Last year, a whole host of famous faces including Paloma Faith, Gregory Porter and Richard E Grant performed at the service, which was attended by the entire Wales family and other royals, including the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice, before being broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve.
In a touching moment during the last service, singer Paloma expressed sympathy for the princess, who had not long finished her chemotherapy treatment after her cancer diagnosis. And Kate replied: “I didn’t know this time last year it was going to be the year I’ve just had.”
Meanwhile, William is set to head overseas as he takes his Earthshot Prize to South America for the first time next month. The fifth annual Earthshot Prize Awards will take place in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in early November. The prince founded the prize to recognise and scale up ideas to help ‘repair’ the planet, with the five winning finalists each awarded £1 million to further develop their ideas.
But even though diaries are quickly filling up for the next few months, Jennie believes Kate and William won’t be looking too far ahead.
She added: “For now, though, this half term will be a welcome time-out from the busyness of school life and royal duties before all the end-of-year events such as Catherine’s annual carol concert and William’s Earthshot Prize.”
Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal
WHATSAPP GROUP: Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our Royal WhatsApp here.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror’s Royal newsletter here to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.