Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton, has always led a charmed life. But her early days were sprinkled with some over-the-top opulence. Born on May 2, 2015, Princess Charlotte received an expensive gift shortly after her arrival: a rattle. But this wasn’t your ordinary baby toy. It was an 18k white gold rattle, decked out with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies forming a Union Jack. The extravagant rattle was a gift from the Natural Sapphire Company, and it came with some serious history. The tradition of giving precious metal baby gifts dates back to the 18th century. The company even boasted that their unique offering would stand out among the many gifts Charlotte would receive. And at a staggering price of £36,000 (around $40,000), it’s hard to argue that point.
Princess Charlotte Deprived of an Expensive Gift
So, what happened to this pricey baby bauble? Sadly, little Charlotte had to give it back. According to the Mirror, royal protocol dashed any hopes she had of playing with it. It’s unclear if the rattle even made it to the royal nursery. Even if it had, royal rules are crystal clear: members of the royal family can’t accept gifts from commercial enterprises. It’s all laid out in the protocol: “When gifts are accepted, it must be with the understanding that the company cannot exploit them for commercial gain. Gifts, including samples, must be returned unless their value is negligible.”
Was Charlotte really deprived of a rattle, though? Not quite. Her grandfather, Prince Charles, stepped in and ensured she had something more suitable. He reportedly gifted her a handmade willow rattle that cost a modest £25 (about $30).
What Is the Gift Policy for the Royal Family?
When it comes to gifts, the royal family follows strict rules. Official gifts are those received during their duties or sent by companies and people they don’t personally know. These include presents from foreign dignitaries during state visits or other official events. Such gifts are not private property and can’t be sold or exchanged. They can be worn or used but are often displayed to the public in palaces. Gifts from other heads of state become part of the royal collection, a permanent repository of the nation’s royal heritage.
Private gifts, however, come from people the royals know personally and aren’t connected to any official engagement. These gifts can be of any value and become the personal property of the family member. But there’s a catch: “No gift that places or might appear to place the member of the royal family under obligation should be accepted.”
**Princesse Charlotte : ce cadeau hors de prix que la fille de William et Kate a dû rendre**
This article first appeared on grazia.fr – Author: Jordane Guignon
