As the festive season approaches, Prince William faces the annual task of selecting thoughtful presents for his family, including a birthday gift for his wife, the Princess of Wales. However, history suggests the heir to the throne hasn't always had a flawless record when it comes to gift-giving.
The Binoculars That Baffled a Future Princess
In a candid revelation, the Prince of Wales once admitted to buying his then-girlfriend, Kate Middleton, a pair of binoculars during the early days of their courtship. The unusual present, given long before they had children, left the future Princess completely perplexed.
William shared the story on former England footballer Peter Crouch's podcast, where they discussed questionable presents. "I did get my wife a pair of binoculars once - she's never let me forget that," William confessed. He added, "That was early on in the courtship... It didn't go well. Honestly, I have no idea why I bought her a pair of binoculars, it seemed like a good idea at the time."
Royal Gift-Giving: Jokes Over Jewels
The binoculars blunder stands in contrast to the royals' well-documented preference for humorous, light-hearted gifts over lavish extravagance at Christmas. The family, drawing on its Germanic heritage, also follows the tradition of exchanging presents on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day.
On the afternoon of the 24th, each family member places their gifts in a designated pile. At 6pm sharp, the unwrapping begins, a ritual once overseen by the late Prince Philip. Memorable past gifts include:
- A bath hat for the late Queen from Prince Harry inscribed with the phrase 'Ain't life a b*tch'.
- A 'grow-your-own-girlfriend kit' given by Kate to Prince Harry, poking fun at his then-headline-making romantic life.
From Bizarre Gifts to Practical Requests
While William's binoculars missed the mark, Kate has been known to ask for unconventional presents herself. During a visit to the Isle of Mull in April 2025, where the couple marked their 14th wedding anniversary, the Princess took part in community renovation work.
While getting hands-on with carpentry and beekeeping, Kate revealed that her own unusual Christmas wish had been granted. She received a chainsaw as a gift the previous December, a practical tool that aligned with her growing interest in hands-on projects.
As Kate approaches her 44th birthday on January 9th, just two weeks after Christmas, William will no doubt be hoping for more inspiration than his infamous binoculars provided, perhaps with some help from their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
