It was in many ways, like Christmases past. On December 25, Prince William and Prince Harry, sticking to tradition, shook hands with well-wishers gathered for morning services outside the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Queen's Sandringham estate. As their father, Prince Charles, looked on, the boys accepted armloads of flowers and gift wrapped presents (including a box of Spice Girls brand chocolates). "They wre smiling and seemed quite happy," says royal watcher Peter Archer of the British Press Association, "but it must have been difficult for them."

Indeed on the first Christmas since Diana's death on August 31, William, 15, and Harry, 13, were reminded of their mother everywhere. At the morning ceremony Canon George Hall offered thanks "for those whom we love but see no more, Diana, Princess of Wales, and all loved ones who have departed this life." Later that day in her annual Christmas Day address, Queen Elizabeth acknowledged the nation's "shock and sorrow" over Diana's death, which she called "almost unbearably sad." (On December 29 the Royal Mail, the British post office, released pictures of five offical postage stamps that will feature the late princess.)

Still, the royals' holiday season was filled as much wil revelry as remembrance. on December 15- two days before the boys somberly chose a few of their mother's Kensington Palace belongings to take to their new home, St. James's Palace- they appered ebulient as tehy chatted with friends at the London premiere of Spiceworld, the Spice Girls' new movie. Earlier on the 15th, the princes made a suprise appearance at a foxhunt in which Camilla Parker Bowles participated- possibly the first time they observed Charles's lover in person. On Chirstmas Eve, having bought gifts including a silver paperweight and cuff links at a London jewelry store a week before, the boys exchanged presents with the other Windsors by the tree at Sandringham. (Fergie, as usual, was not invited.)

As the year came to a close on December 31, the young princes were schedualed to board a plane for Klosters, Switzerland, for a skiing vacation with their father- an event, many hoped, that would mark the beginning of a new year filled more with joy than sorrow.

by Dan Jewel , Simon Perry, and Nina Biddle. Copyright People Weekly- 1/12/98