Princess Catherine of Wales Plants Tree in Honor of Late Queen Elizabeth II

Princess Catherine of Wales paid tribute to her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, by planting a tree ahead of the royal family's traditional Christmas.

The tree planting ceremony was held in the Dean's Yard of Westminster Abbey, where the princess was photographed preparing a planting hole for a wild cherry tree.

She was dressed in a stylish blue and green tartan jacket by Holland Cooper, beaming with joy as she planted the tree, which was a gift from the Duchy of Cornwall.

The tree-planting initiative was part of the Queen's Green Canopy project, which was first announced in October 2021 to commemorate Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

The initiative was led by the late monarch and then Prince Charles, with the original intent to commemorate the late Queen's 70th year on the throne.

However, after her death in September, it took on a deeper meaning.

The cherry tree was planted to replace a horse chestnut tree that died earlier this year.

Catherine appeared in good spirits as she chatted with a crowd who had gathered outside the abbey, before bending low to add some soil to the planting of the tree.

When Catherine had finished placing the final shovelful of dirt onto the tree, she also unveiled a memorial to the late monarch.

The plaque read, “This wild cherry tree, a gift from the Duchy of Cornwall, was dedicated in memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales on 14 December 2022.”

The tree was one of the thousands included in the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.

Westminster Abbey has a unique bond with the Royal Family as the setting of special occasions past and present.

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Royal Wedding in 2011, and the upcoming coronation of King Charles all took place at the abbey.

The news comes just days before King Charles would gather the royals at Sandringham for an emotional Christmas.

However, this year's festive season will be one like no other for members of the family attending the celebrations.

Since the late Queen's sad passing three months ago and Charles' accession to the throne, this will be the first Christmas together.

The Queen, Consul Camilla's children Tom and Laura, who are attending the solemn celebrations for the first time, are among a larger group of royal guests who are reportedly in attendance.

Former Royal Butler Grant Harold, who served the King and Camilla for seven years, predicts that it will be a bittersweet time for the royals.

He told the Mirror, “I think for them it will be very emotional this year, and I have no doubt there are tears that will be shed on the day or the night before because they will be remembering her.

But I am sure, as well, it will be a fun time for the youngsters and it will also carry on how the Queen would have wanted it to do.”

Under the late Queen, the Sandringham celebrations would always adhere to a predetermined ritual.

This includes a gift exchange on Christmas Eve, attending church together on Christmas morning, and tucking into a traditional Christmas lunch with all of the trimmings.

Grant predicts that despite Charles's current position of power, not much will alter, with the possible exception of one of his mother's traditions.

He added, “Knowing what the King is like, I think he will try to mirror everything that has been done in the past.

But what is interesting is, I don't think he will stay there until February like the Queen used to do, to mark her own father's passing.

I don't see him doing that and I don't think his schedule will allow it.”

Despite Grant's belief that Charles's Christmas will be relatively the same as it was in past years, he speculates that the King's New Year's celebration may be considerably different.

The former butler explained, “It will be interesting to see what happens this year for New Year, whether the King stays in Sandringham like the Queen used to do or whether he keeps up the tradition of going up to Scotland.

He may feel he should stay at Sandringham because that is what the Queen did, but then he loves Scotland like his mother did.”

From memory, New Year was always quite private.

Of course, he would have friends come round, but it was always quite low-key.

So much so, I used to get time off so I could go and visit my mum and dad.