Why the Royal Kids Might Not Be Allowed to Keep Their Christmas Gifts This Year

Prince William and Kate Middleton joined the rest of the royals for their annual walk around Sandringham on Christmas Day, and brought their kids along for the occasion. And before you ask, yes, everyone wore coordinating outfits:

Samir Hussein//Getty Images

If you're not familiar with the annual royal Christmas walk, basically the royals go on a casual very carefully orchestrated stroll to church while members of the public stand around and wave at them. They typically stop and chat during the walk, and are often given flowers and gifts along the way.

Samir Hussein//Getty Images

Samir Hussein//Getty Images

Buuut, apparently Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis weren't necessarily allowed to keep some of the many (many!) gifts they received this year since there are VERY specific rules that they have to follow.

HENRY NICHOLLS//Getty Images

According to the royal family's official policy (via Hello!), gifts given by people "not personally known" to the royals can be kept as long as they fit certain criteria. Things they're allowed to accept? "Flowers, foodstuff and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities)," "copies of books presented by the author, provided the subject matter is not controversial," and "items of small monetary value" that cost less than £150.

Anything that doesn't fit this criteria must be returned.

From the looks of videos and pics of the family on their walkabout, the royal children were mostly given chocolates and stuffed toys which presumably cost less than £150. But apparently last year some slightly more expensive gifts were also given, so TBD on if they ended up having to return those!