Princess Charlene and her twins hand out presents as they mark Christmas tradition started by Princess Grace

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene have opened their palace to welcome children from throughout the principality for a Christmas party like no other.

The annual event is one of the most popular on the Monegasque royal calendar.

But there were some doubts it could proceed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, however strict health measures were put into place to ensure the safety of those invited and the festivities went ahead.

All guests were asked to wear a face mask, including the children, and temperature checked on their way in.

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene – showing off her controversial new haircut – and their six-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, wore special masks featuring the crest of the House of Grimaldi.

The young royals helped their mum and dad hand out Christmas presents to all the children.

The Christmas Gifts Distribution is a party held usually held inside the Prince's Palace in Monte Carlo in the days before December 25, hosted by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.

Around 700 children, aged five, are invited to the royal residence, where they receive a personalised gift from the royal family.

For the first time this year the party took place outdoors, in the Court of Honour, decorated entirely for the occasion in a special winter forest theme, featuring Santa and his sleigh, reindeers, acrobats and musicians.

In previous years Prince Albert has worn a Santa hat and tie decorated with Christmas characters.

One of the highlights of the party is the hot chocolate, which has become known as the best in the world.

"The secret of the palace's famous Christmas hot chocolate is certainly the quality of the whole fat milk, provided by Roc Agel dairy cows, and to that I add a good dark chocolate mix," palace chef Christian Garcia told PEOPLE.

The Christmas party was first introduced by Princess Grace and her husband Prince Rainier in the late 1950s, soon after the former actress married into the Monegasque royal family.

Underprivileged children from all over Monaco were invited for a special day in the palace.

"In a way, it was unintentional but the best idea imaginable to build ties between the new Princess and the next generation of Monégasque citizens," one resident who attended the parties as a child said. "It was a small gesture which has become a very big thing.

"It nurtures that bond between the whole community. That's something you look forward to all year long when you're a child. And then, when you're a parent you look forward to sharing it with your own children."