Princess of Wales Pays Tribute to Late Queen Elizabeth II with Tree-Planting Ceremony

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, honored the late Queen Elizabeth II by planting a tree ahead of the royal family's traditional Christmas celebrations.

Recent images from the tree-planting ceremony, held in memory of the princess's late grandmother-in-law, showcased her elegant appearance in a blue and green tartan outfit.

As part of the Queen's Green Canopy project, the princess was captured preparing a planting hole in the Dean's Yard of Westminster Abbey.

She looked stylish in her Holland Cooper jacket for the occasion.

With a radiant smile, she planted a wild cherry tree, which was gifted by the Duchy of Cornwall.

On September 8, following Charles's ascension to the throne, Prince William, Catherine's spouse, inherited the estate from his father.

The titles of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were immediately passed on to William and Catherine by Prince Charles.

However, the new sovereign had to wait until September 9 to create his first-born son as the Prince of Wales, as this title can only be bestowed by the monarch.

The cherry tree was planted in Dean's Yard to replace a horse chestnut tree that had died earlier this year after suffering from sudden summer limb drop.

Catherine appeared in high spirits as she engaged in conversations with the crowd gathered outside the abbey.

She then bent down to add soil to the newly planted tree.

After finishing, she unveiled a memorial plaque dedicated 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 December 14, 2022.”

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

Originally announced in October 2021 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, the tree-planting initiative was led by the late monarch and Prince Charles.

It aimed to celebrate the Queen's 70-year reign but took on a deeper meaning following her passing in September.

The Queen's Green Canopy shared several photographs of the moment, stating, “Amidst the final preparations for the #TogetherAtChristmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey last week, the Princess of Wales planted a tree for the #QueensGreenCanopy in honor of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

They added that the wild cherry tree joined over a million others planted across the UK as part of the initiative.

Westminster Abbey holds a special connection with the Royal Family, having hosted significant events in the past.

These include Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal wedding in 2011.

The upcoming coronation of King Charles, the abbey's patron, will also take place there.

The news of the tree-planting ceremony comes just days before King Charles gathers the royals at Sandringham for an emotional Christmas.

However, this year's festive season will be unlike any other for the family members attending the celebrations.

It will be the first Christmas they spend together since the late Queen's passing three months ago and Charles' accession to the throne.

Among the larger group of royal guests reportedly attending are the Queen Consort Camilla's children, Tom and Laura, who will join the solemn celebrations for the first time.

According to former royal butler Grant Harold, who served the King and Camilla for seven years, the occasion will be bittersweet for the royals.

He believes there will be tears shed as they remember the late Queen, but also expects the festivities to continue in the manner she would have wanted.

Under the late Queen's guidance, the Sandringham celebrations always followed a set ritual, including a gift exchange on Christmas Eve, attending church together on Christmas morning, and enjoying a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.

Grant predicts that despite Charles' new position of power, not much will change in terms of the celebrations, with the possible exception of one of his mother's traditions.

He speculates that the King may not stay at Sandringham until February, as the Queen used to, to mark her own father's passing.

However, he believes Charles's schedule may not allow for such an extended stay.

While Grant expects the Christmas celebrations to remain largely the same, he wonders if the King will continue the tradition of spending New Year in Scotland, as his mother did.

He recalls that New Year was always a private and low-key affair, with friends being invited to join the festivities.

In conclusion, Princess Catherine paid homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II by participating in a tree-planting ceremony.

The event, which took place as part of the Queen's Green Canopy project, saw the princess planting a wild cherry tree in the Dean's Yard of Westminster Abbey.

This initiative, initially intended to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, gained added significance following her passing.

As the royal family prepares for their first Christmas together since the Queen's death and Charles' ascension to the throne, emotions are expected to run high.

Despite these changes, the family is likely to uphold many of the Queen's cherished traditions during the festive season.