SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

CoronavirusPrince & Princess of Wales

Carole Middleton reveals modified family Christmas plans

Carole Middleton revealed her family’s modified Christmas plans that will see Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis helping decorate the Middleton Family tree in a new way due to the pandemic.

“We may not be able to get together but, after a year like 2020, we need to remember what’s really important this Christmas,” Carole wrote in a Facebook post on the Party Pieces page.

“For me, what really matters is that my family feels connected. I normally let my grandchildren help me decorate the tree. This year, I’ll ask them by video call to decide which decoration should go where. It may need to be tastefully rearranged later…!

“Curating our Christmas ranges gave me some joy and escapism, and I hope they help you feel the same. From alternative advent calendars to Christmas decorations and stocking fillers, Party Pieces has everything you need for this festive season, which we hope is a safe and happy one for all.”

Carole’s post comes as speculation grows about the Christmas plans of the Royal Family. The Queen and Prince Philip, along with their extended family, usually spend the holiday together at Sandringham in Norfolk, however, with new coronavirus restrictions in place, groups of people greater than six may not be able to gather.

A source told the Daily Mail earlier in the week that staff at Sandringham have been told not to expect the Royal Family at Christmas, marking the first time in over 30 years that the royals won’t celebrate there.

The source said, “Nothing has been resolved as staff are still refusing to quarantine from their families. So, it’s looking almost certain they can’t have Christmas inside the big house at Sandringham.

“It is possible, of course, to arrange a smaller one for Philip and The Queen at Wood Farm cottage. But moving The Queen and Duke to Windsor, where they know the bubble works, makes it simpler to start planning to stay there for Christmas.”

The Royal Family typically take part in a robust Christmas schedule—presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve, the family attends a church service on Christmas morning, and then in the afternoon, they gather around to watch The Queen’s speech.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.