The Queen will have a full house this year at Sandringham as she hosts 29 guests who will join her and Prince Philip for the traditional Christmas dinner. There are also reports suggesting that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte will also be in attendance.
According to The Sunday Express, William and Kate will be spending Christmas with the Queen this year, meaning the total number of royals at Sandringham will be a huge gathering of 33.
The British newspaper also reports that the Cambridge family will spend the night at Sandringham, and will not be hosting the Middleton family at Anmer Hall as they did last year.
With the extremely large gathering, some members of the royal family will expected to sleep in servants’ quarters, with some servants in return having to find alternate accommodation on the Norfolk estate.
Speaking to The Sunday Express, one royal insider said: “There is going to be no room at the inn but the Queen will be delighted. She loves having the entire family around her and it will be wonderful for her and Prince Philip, and of course doting grandad Prince Charles, to see Prince George and little Charlotte.
“The royals are like any other family and face the same dilemmas with in-laws. As William and Kate spent the day with the Middletons last year it was only fair that they switched plans this year.
“They will be able to relax and some of their staff will be able to take time off and see their own families.”
Before the royal family start their banquet, they will go to St Mary Magdalene church for the traditional Christmas Day service.
Prince George did not go to church last year, and it is unknown whether he will go this year, alongside his sister, Princess Charlotte.
A royal insider also told the Express that it is expected all staff working for the royal family will be given some time off this Christmas.
“They [the staff] all love working hard for the Duke and Duchess but they put in incredibly long hours and certainly earn their money.
“William and Kate appreciate the fact that they have families too.”
Other publications however, say that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children will spend Christmas at Anmer Hall as originally reported. We will just have to wait and see.
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