Prince George's Christmas excitement revealed by Duke of Cambridge

Updated

The Duke of Cambridge has said he expects Prince George to be "bouncing around like a rabbit" as the family prepare for their first Christmas as a foursome.

William, the Duchess of Cambridge and their children George, two, and Charlotte, seven months, will honour tradition by going to church on Christmas Day, before watching their eldest "try to tackle his presents as he tries to unwrap them".

The Duke said he foresaw a few sleepless nights, joking: "Well, if I get any sleep on Christmas Eve it'll be good, because George will be bouncing around like a rabbit.

"I think George will be extremely bouncy this year because he's suddenly worked out what Christmas is all about. So that will be two children, one who suddenly appreciates Christmas, which could be quite challenging. But I'm looking forward to it.

"It's a very different experience at Christmas, having a family of your own."

The Prince also showed his romantic side, revealing his Christmas wish is for people to "have some love in their lives" and for snow on the day itself.

He made the comments during an interview with an aspiring journalist he met four years ago when she was homeless.

Sophia Kichou lost her mother aged eight and was homeless at 18 when it became unsafe to stay with her alcoholic father.

While staying in the Centrepoint hostel she met the charity's patron the Duke of Cambridge, who promised Miss Kichou that she would be able to interview him one day.

Four years on, the Duke has honoured his promise and invited Miss Kichou, now in her final year studying journalism at City University, to Kensington palace.

During their conversation he recalled visiting hostels with his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, a former Centrepoint patron, and the time he spent a night in a sleeping bag near London's Blackfriars Bridge in 2009.

He said: "I think it goes back to when my mother first took the role when I was a small boy. I was very struck by the people I met and what they were struggling with - sleeping rough, sofa surfing, not having basic comforts a lot of us take for granted.

"That really struck me at a young age, bearing in mind the gulf for me, growing up in a palace, and seeing the other end of the spectrum where others were faced with huge personal challenges and were overcoming them. That was powerful to see at a young age.

"In today's western world, with all the advancements and privileges we have, the fact some people don't have a bed or a roof over their head is quite ridiculous."

Miss Kichou, now 24, admitted she was nervous to be speaking to the Prince but that "as the interview went on, my nerves calmed down and I began to enjoy it".

"I am very grateful to everyone who helped make this happen," she added.

The full interview will feature in the Big Issue magazine on Monday December 7.

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