Queen Camilla is continuing one of her most beloved holiday traditions.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Camilla, 77, hosted a tree trimming party at her and King Charles’ London home of Clarence House. The festive occasion is part of an annual event that Camilla throws for the children of Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice (based in Oxfordshire), which provides medical, emotional and practical support for seriously ill children and their families, as well as children helped by Roald Dahl’s Marvelous Children’s Charity. The Queen is patron of both organizations.
Camilla, who has been recovering from a chest infection, which she revealed on Dec. 3 to have been a form of pneumonia, and her staff presented an afternoon of surprises for her guests. The children were welcomed to the London residence by palace guardsmen and musical accompaniment from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles Regiment (Camilla is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment). Inside, there was a Christmas performance by the band, and Santa Claus was also on hand. At the center of the fun was the tree trimming.
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The children and their families and carers then joined the Queen for lunch.
Surprises have been plentiful on previous occasions. In 2021, Camilla used a soldier’s sword to carefully position some ornaments.
A pair of reindeer brought smiles to children attending the event on another occasion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Camilla continued the Christmas decorating event by holding it virtually. “We have to make the best of it,” she said.
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The holiday event came after a day of activities on Dec. 11, when Camilla joined a party honoring the Royal Volunteer Service and, along with King Charles, was entertained by the Military Wives’ Choir.
The royals on both sides of the Atlantic have been taking part in holiday parties for charities and causes close to their hearts. On Dec. 6, Kate Middleton hosted her fourth annual Together at Christmas carol concert, which was attended by 1,600 guests, including many members of the royal family.
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On Dec. 10, Prince William, 42, joined families from the Mercian Regiment, in Wiltshire for a Christmas party. There, he was shown a drawing created by 10-year-old Carson Heighway, depicting the prince himself — complete with beard and thinning hair! Finding the portrait amusing, he tucked it into his pocket, presumably planning to share it with his family.
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On the same day, his brother Prince Harry, 40, sent some holiday love to bereaved military children when he joined a virtual Christmas party for 280 children and young people who have experienced the death of a parent in the British armed forces.
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On Dec 7, Camilla and Charles revealed their holiday card, sent to family and friends this year, will wrap up their duties in London in the coming days and then head to Sandringham, Norfolk for the holidays. There, they will celebrate Christmas with most of the royal family, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and children, Prince George, 11 Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
For more on the royal family’s Christmas traditions, pick up PEOPLE’s Special Edition: Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.