The Christmas period is always a particularly fun time for royal watching, with behind-the-scenes pictures of the palaces being decorated for the holidays and royals carrying out holiday-themed engagements moving to the forefront.
The British Royal Family have always played a significant part in Christmas traditions for the UK, with their annual celebration at Sandringham and the morning walk to and from church followed by the much-beloved Christmas Message in the afternoon.
This year, King Charles is poised to deliver his first Christmas Message, following in the footsteps of his late mother, who deftly turned her yearly speech into a source of comfort for those watching at home.
How will King Charles strike his own tone yet set a familiar course on Christmas Day? We’ll find out, but while the main elements of the Royal Family’s Christmas remain unchanged, new traditions are cropping up and becoming a very welcome addition to the Christmas calendar.
Queen Camilla has, for years now, invited sick children to Clarence House to help her decorate the Christmas tree. Young children supported by the Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity are treated to a fun and festive outing, with cookies, reindeer and a visit from Father Christmas on the agenda as they help Queen Camilla prepare for the holidays.
Queen Camilla’s warmness is on full display, and she has spoken before of how her annual Christmas decorating event is the start of her holidays. Her part in bringing joy to young people who really need the magic of Christmas is always a poignant reminder of the true spirit of the season.
Like Queen Camilla’s annual engagement, her daughter-in-law has started her own, in the form of a Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess of Wales held her first Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in 2021. Billed as a way to thank those who went above and beyond for their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Catherine brought together people from all over the United Kingdom for a special service that was televised on ITV on Christmas Eve.
Ahead of last year’s event, Catherine said, “[A]bove all, it’s about celebrating the goodwill, the acts of kindness, love, empathy, and compassion to help people come through these difficult times.”
This year’s service will pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II and recognise community leaders throughout the United Kingdom, and King Charles and Queen Camilla have already announced their plans to attend.
Catherine’s Together at Christmas service is well on its way to becoming a beloved tradition, a way to look back at the people who are the pillars of their communities and to celebrate all faiths and none in an inclusive event.
With the Royal Family celebrating their firmly established traditions on Christmas Day, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales are ensuring, with their events, that the Royal Family is spreading cheer throughout the month of December.
