Camilla's sweet Christmas gesture for children: 'We have to make the best of it'

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is trying to find a silver lining in the dark cloud looming over London's Christmas in lockdown, with a special event to "make the best of it".

The Duchess offered a festive alternative to families struggling to come to terms with the announcement of stricter, Tier 4 lockdown orders sweeping the country in an effort to curb surging COVID cases, by hosting a virtual Christmas tree decorating event.

The event took place at Clarence House, and was live streamed in order to maintain her annual tradition.

"We have to make the best of it," Camilla said while hosting the event, which is typically attended by the children and families supported by her patronage, the Helen and Douglas House children's hospice.

The Duchess has upheld the tradition since 2007, as the video explains "this year, things had to be done a little differently."

Camilla joined multiple families from the hospice via video link, informing them "I really miss having you here. It's not the same without you."

"It is one of the highlights of my year," the Duchess confessed.

She then proceeded to put a special bauble with each of the children's names written on them, on their tree, as the children instructed the Duchess where they would like to have it placed on the tree.

"A very Happy Christmas to you all… let's hope for a better New Year," the Duchess signed off the video.

The Duchess and Prince of Wales will celebrate Christmas at their estate in Gloucestershire, after Queen Elizabeth canceled the royal family's annual Christmas holiday in Sandringham. 

Her Majesty, 94, and husband Prince Philip, 99, will be spending the festive season in Windsor Castle, where they remain in isolation under the HMS Bubble.

When asked about her Christmas plans, Camilla said, "Well, I don't really know. They are changing things every day. Every day we are going somewhere, and then it changes. I suppose we shall just be at home and see who we are going to be able to see."

Over the weekend, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced strict lockdown orders across England that radically changed the holiday plans for millions of families.

The snap decision came after news that a stronger strain of coronavirus had swept the country, as cases escalate.

There are currently 2,074,000 cases of coronavirus in the UK.

RELATED: How coronavirus has ruined Kate Middleton's Christmas plans