As the festive season approaches, families around the world are preparing to celebrate, including the British royal family. This year, the focus is on the Prince and Princess of Wales as they prepare for a special Christmas at Sandringham. Due to security concerns and health issues, they want to create memorable family moments. Traditionally, the Welsh family spend Christmas in Norfolk. However, it has been confirmed that Prince William and Catherine will join the King and Queen at Sandringham this year. Royal sources have shared that King Charles, who is in care, is delighted to have William, Catherine and their three children join them for the festivities.
The celebrations will include a Christmas dinner, Christmas Eve gatherings and a church service on Christmas Day. Other royals in attendance will be Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie. The royals typically attend church on Christmas morning and then return to the estate for the day's celebrations. Royal commentator Emily Andrews said the Welsh family will likely return to their home, Amner Hall, to spend more time with Princess Catherine's parents afterwards.
It has also been suggested that the entire royal family receives small gifts found in stockings, not just the younger members. Zara Tindall noted that they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and recalled whether her late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, also received gifts, which she confirmed they did. The Tindalls are expected to enjoy the festive season with the rest of the royals, including attending a Christmas Day church service with their daughters, Mia and Lena. The Welsh family are prioritising family time, cherishing the festive season. They plan to focus on intimate moments with their children at Amner Hall, a place that holds special significance for them.
Former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond believes Welsh children will be eager to tear off stockings and play around the house on Christmas morning, like children everywhere. This year has started with difficulties for the royal family, particularly King Charles and Princess Catherine, who have both faced personal problems. However, there is now a sense of optimism as they gather at Sandringham for the holidays. There is a strong bond between the King and Princess after they were coincidentally admitted to hospital for benign surgery, where they both discovered their conditions.
While the Welsh family are not expected to attend the Christmas lunch, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is still expected to attend family events. Despite stepping down as a senior royal in 2019 over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, he has continued to attend family gatherings, including this year's Christmas. Friends say Christmas at Sandringham could be quieter this year due to Charles' ongoing treatment. The extended royal family, including Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, are waiting to see how Charles's health progresses in the coming weeks but are still hoping for a happy gathering.
