Prince Charles demonstrated a unique approach to gift-giving, bestowing a piece of china upon his goddaughter, India Hicks, each year starting when she was just seven years old.

An Annual Tradition

While most seven-year-olds dream of toys and games, India Hicks received a delicate, fine china gravy boat from then-Prince Charles one Christmas. This wasn’t a singular gesture; it marked the beginning of an annual tradition that continued until she reached her twenties.

Over time, these annual gifts accumulated, eventually forming a complete and elegant dinner service for Ms. Hicks.

From Perplexity to Appreciation

Initially, Ms. Hicks, now 58 and a successful designer, found the yearly crockery gifts somewhat puzzling. Receiving a piece of china each Christmas was an unconventional present for a young girl.

However, her perspective shifted with time, and she now considers the gesture remarkably thoughtful and practical – “a useful, brilliant present,” as she describes it. She deeply appreciates the foresight demonstrated by the future king.

A Royal Collection

Ms. Hicks, whose grandfather was Lord Mountbatten of Burma and who served as a bridesmaid at the wedding of Charles and Princess Diana, credits the King with providing her with a complete collection of royal crockery. She recounted the experience on the Rosebud podcast, recalling how “every year, a cardboard box would arrive from the royal maker, Goode, wasn't it? And in it would be a saucer or a gravy dish or a cup.”

The initial confusion of receiving a gravy dish at age seven has transformed into a profound appreciation for the enduring value of the gift as she matured.

A Lasting Legacy

Ms. Hicks reflects on the disposable nature of many childhood gifts, noting how easily they are lost or forgotten. The china, however, remains a cherished and functional part of her life.

This experience has influenced her own approach to godparenting, prompting her to consider how she can emulate the King’s foresight and provide gifts that will be appreciated and utilized throughout her godchildren’s lives. She reiterated, “What a useful, brilliant present, instead of some plastic toy that you were given at seven that you’ve no idea where it’s gone.”

The tableware was sourced from Thomas Goode, a prestigious firm established in 1827 in Mayfair, London, renowned for its curation of fine china, silverware, and glass from manufacturers like Spode and Wedgwood.