Recently much has been made of the free gifts given to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Now it seems that even Prince William has gotten a few odd presents over the past few years.
The Daily Mail has collated a list itemising the gifts received by members of British royal family and Prince William seems to have lucked out compared to his grandparents, father and step-mother. Far from the glittering, priceless jewels currently bedazzling Camilla, Wills had to resign himself to, amongst other things, a pair of swimming trunks.
The Daily Mail revealed that in June 2005, William received a pair of greenstone pendants from the Tgai Tahu Tribe and forty eight letters from primary school children during his visit to New Zealand. He then received rugby club shirt, from a private individual and a pair swimming trunks from a member of the public.
So whilst Camilla got diamond brooches and the like, Wills' taste in swimming apparel obviously wasn't up to someone's standards.
The Daily Mail list reads as follows:
THE QUEEN
March 2006
From: The Australian Prime Minister Gift: Two watercolours painted by Romola Templeman March 2006.
From: The GovernorGeneral of Australia Gift: Silver framed photograph of the Australian Vice-Regal representatives.
From: The President of Brazil Gift: Sculpture of a tree made from Brazilian wood. October 2006
From: The President of Lithuania Gift: Photograph of the President and his wife in a silver frame with crest on top.
From: Estonian Academy of Arts Gift: Handmade scarf.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH
March 2006
From: Charles Madden, Aboriginal tribal elder Gift: Ceramic coil pot.
From: Singapore Turf Club Gift: Gold-plated pewter plaque, book on designing the Singapore racecourse.
October 2006
From: The Lithuanian Parliament Gift: A book (unnamed).
PRINCE OF WALES
November 2003
From: Private individual, India Gift: Pair of earrings, four sets of cuff-links, bracelet, turban.
From: Royal Family of Jaipur Gift: Four chairs, clothing, five pictures.
From: Royal Family of Oman Gift: Gold and silver box, essence, tapestry, book incense burner.
February 2004
From: Royal Family of Saudi Arabia Gift: Model of a gold oasis, watch, ten gold coins, 16 photographs, honey and dates.
October 2004
From: Royal Family of Jordan Gift: Book, silver magnifying glass, letter opener. November 2005
From: President and First Lady of the United States Gift: Two saddles, two saddle stands, two covers, two pens.
March 2006
From: Royal Family of Saudi Arabia Gift: Arabian stallion, book, four pairs of leather sandals, glass coffee set, two swords, silver cigar case, leatherette box, clock, model of a gold desert scene.
From: Private individual Gift: Box of 32 mangoes.
From: Private individual Gift: Marble vase and clock.
From: Royal Family of Jaipur Gift: Silver box, silver model of an elephant.
November 2006
From: President and First Lady of Pakistan Gift: Silver cigar box, musket.
From: Village of Altit, Pakistan Gift: A yak.
From: President of Sierra Leone Gift: Wooden bowl of beans, side table, throw.
DUCHESS OF CORNWALL
March 2006
From: First Lady of Egypt Gift: Agate ornament Gift: Diamond brooch, pair of gold bracelets, gold necklace, picture, shawl, length of fabric, two books, wooden box.
From: Member of the public Gift: Silver plated necklace and bracelet, necklace with amber clusters, three silver enamelled rings.
From: Royal Family of Saudi Arabia Gift: Three parures in emerald, ruby and sapphire.
November 2006
From: President and the First Lady of Pakistan Gift: Silver bracelet.
DUKE OF YORK
February 2005
From: School, Abu Dhabi Gift: Golf balls and self-assembly golf club.
From: Royal Family of Saudi Arabia Gift: Two watches, gold and malachite clock, organic grapefruit and dates.
From: Amir of Kuwait Gift: Watch.
January 2006
From: Sheikh Khalifa of the UAE Gift: Model of Ibex, palm tree statue
From: Sheikh Sultan, UAE Gift: Dagger.
March 2006
From: Governor of Xi'an , China Gift: Terracotta Warrior.
June 2006:
From: King of Thailand Gift: Gold tie pin, books, painting.
July 2006
From: President of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Gift: Lute.
From: President of Azerbaijan Gift: Persian rug, caviar.
THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX
November 2005
From: Private individual in USA Gift: Doll for Lady Louise.
March 2006
From: Porsche, Sydney Gift: Toy Porsche for Lady Louise.
June 2006
From: Canadian citizens Gift: Soap stone buffalo carving.
July 2006
From: Bruichladdich Distillery Gift: Bottle of single malt.
October 2006
From: President of the Seychelles Gift: A palm tree.
From: Premier of the Western Cape Gift: Granite table and autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
