Kate Middleton plants tree in memory of Queen Elizabeth ahed of 1st Xmas without her

Kate Middleton has planted a tree at Westminster Abbey where, by royal appointment, she was handed the duty of planting a tree in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess of Wales gave a sapling a start in life as part of a global green initiative to commemorate the late monarch, grandmother of her husband Prince William.

Kate planted a wild cherry tree, a gift from the Duchy of Cornwall, last Wednesday during final preparations for her carol concert held at Westminster Abbey for the second year. Pictures from the moving event were released on Tuesday morning.

The tree planted by the Duchess of Cambridge is one of more than a million that have been planted under the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) project across both the UK and Commonwealth, with the initiative being established to mark The Queen's 70-year reign.


During the summer celebration, the public were invited to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee".

Although the project was scheduled to conclude in December – the end of the jubilee year – under the wishes of The Queen's son, King Charles III, it has been extended to March 2023.

The project gives citizens of the UK and Commonwealth the opportunity to plant trees in memory of the late monarch, who passed away in September.

Today saw King Charles – the tree initiative's patron – arriving at Buckingham Palace in preparation of hosting the annual Christmas gathering for the wider Royal Family.


It's the first time the traditional meeting has taken place since 2019 as the Covid-19 pandemic rendered it impossible to congregate in close quarters, and the first time Charles is hosting the event as King.

Charles, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, were photographed in a car, making their journey into Palace grounds ahead of the lunch.

William and Kate, 40, are both expected to attend today with their three children George, nine, Charlotte, seven, and Louis, four.

Many other members of the Royal Family are due to arrive as well, but side part of the family will be noticeably absent.


Prince Harry, 38, and Meghan Markle, 41, and their two children Archie, three, and one year old Lilibet are all in the US – where they will spend Christmas together following the release of their controversial six-part documentary series, which has seen damaging accusations made against several senior royals, including his brother William.

Describing the Royal Family's festive plans this year, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK! last week: "There will be an ever-present empty chair at Christmas as most of the family have only ever known Christmas in the company of The Queen.

“There will be a huge hole. I thought that would make them see the bigger picture – make them see that what they’re fighting about is petty.

Jennie described the on-going situation as "sad", adding, "I really thought the death of – if not the Duke of Edinburgh – then certainly The Queen would bring them together."

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