It’s one of the most touching royal events on the calendar: Queen Camilla’s annual Christmas party for the children at Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.

For the past 19 years, the Queen has hosted a Christmas tree trimming party—complete with special guests and refreshments—for the children at her Clarence House residence. On social media, Queen Camilla called it a “cherished tradition.”

Children and families supported by the charities were invited to Clarence House for the festivities, which included a musical performance by the Band and Bugles of the Rifles, an appearance by Father Christmas (who told the Queen that she was on the nice list), and a lunch of bangers and mash. Also on the festively-decorated table were gingerbread cookies, chocolate Santas, and candy canes.

After lunch, the eight children joined Queen Camilla to trim the Clarence House Christmas tree. Queen Camilla’s equerry, Major Ollie Plunkett, placed the ornaments on the tree with his sword at the children’s directions.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, a mother named Marie Verney revealed she had spoken to Queen Camilla about her youngest daughters’ needs and that “She was very understanding and sympathetic of people’s lives. And her life hasn’t been easy this year, has it?”

She continued, revealing that Queen Camilla had said “she’d be glad to get to the end of the year and I think a lot of the families here feel like that as well.”

In a speech, the Queen said that this Christmas party is always the start of her holiday season and hoped that the children and families who attend feel the same way. She said: “I want to wish you a very, very happy Christmas and say how wonderful it has been to have you all here today.”

At the end of the party, Queen Camilla gifted each child with a party bag of festive sweets and toys, including reindeer bells with their names stamped on the straps.

The Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity team posted on Facebook: “We are extremely grateful to Her Majesty The Queen for inviting children and their Roald Dahl Nurses to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House yesterday.

“This event provides special memories for families and Roald Dahl Nurses, and we are honoured to be involved in such a magical event.”

Meanwhile, Helen & Douglas House posted: “Thank you for a magical day!”