London - She celebrated her first birthday on May 2, but it appears Princess Charlotte already has no shortage of toys – or envious playmates – for the foreseeable future.
Among an astonishing array of gifts, she has received a precious silver rattle and a host of blankets, clothes, books, toys and even hand-knitted bootees from ordinary well-wishers and dignitaries from 64 countries.
The rattle was given to her by the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, and his wife during their visit to Britain last year.
But another valuable rattle – reportedly worth about £30 000 (about R630 000) – is unlikely ever to make it into the royal playroom.
American jewellery company the Natural Sapphire Company said it had made the toy from 18-carat white gold, capping it with diamonds, rubies and sapphires in the shape of the Union Jack.
It was intended as a thank-you gift after the company earned thousands from customers hoping to replicate the Duchess of Cambridge’s sapphire engagement ring.
The ring, which had once belonged to Princess Diana, contains 14 solitaire diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, all set in 18-carat white gold.
But because of the Royal Family’s strict rules on accepting gifts from “commercial businesses”, Princess Charlotte is unlikely ever to receive it.
Details revealed show that over the past year, Prince George’s little sister has had some generous charitable donations made in her name, including one for £54 000 from the former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper.
Kensington Palace said that Charlotte’s uncle Prince Harry had brought her a New Zealand rugby sleep suit and a Wellington rugby snowsuit from his tour of New Zealand.
David Cameron gave her a copy of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, while the Australian government sent a cot blanket made from Tasmanian merino wool and embroidered with the country’s floral emblem.
The prime minister of New Zealand gave a selection of teddy bears, baby blankets and bootees, all made from local wool.
And during the Chinese state visit last autumn, Charlotte was given a set of silk figurines depicting the traditional Chinese story Dream Of The Red Chamber.
On their recent trip to Britain, President Obama and his wife Michelle gave Charlotte a jigsaw and a soft toy based on Bo, their Portuguese Water Dog, to match one that had already been given to Prince George.
In Bhutan last month the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given coats for their children by the country’s royal family. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are incredibly grateful for all the letters, gifts and good wishes they have been fortunate to receive in the year since Princess Charlotte was born. The couple have taken a number of gifts into their home, some gifts are stored within the Royal Household, and some gifts were donated to organisations which could make good use of them.”
The spokesperson could not comment on the whereabouts of the white gold rattle, but said: “Any gift from a commercial business will not be accepted.”
Daily Mail