There will be a few extra chairs at the Royal Family’s Christmas dinner this year. This year Queen Camilla’s children, grand-children and sister will be headed to Sandringham House in Norfolk for the celebrations.
Although no formal guest list has been issued, it’s expected that many members of the Royal Family will join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham for the festive season.
They will also celebrate with Queen Camilla’s family. This is the first major break in Christmas tradition since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. During her reign, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the ones invited to Sandringham for Christmas.
In years’ past, including last year, which was the first Christmas of the reign of King Charles, Queen Camilla would leave Sandringham in the afternoon to celebrate the holiday with her family. Queen Camilla has two children. Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and five grandchildren.
They will join other members of the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, are also expected. So, too, are Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips and his daughters Savannah and Isla. The daughter of the Princess Royal is also thought to be coming. Zara Tindall and her husband Michael will be there with their three children: Mia, Lena and Lucas.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, are expected at the Sandringham Christmas celebrations as is Prince Andrew and his daughters.
Princess Beatrice attended in 2022 with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as well as his son, Christopher and their daughter Sienna. Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, will be there with their two sons: August and Ernest.
Tom Parker Bowles has two children: Lola and Frederick. Frederick was a Page of Honour for his grandmother at the coronation in May of this year.
Laura is an art curator and is married to Harry Lopes. They have three children: Eliza and twins, Gus and Louis. Gus and Louis were also Pages of Honour to their grandmother at the coronation.
Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot will also be joining the family. She is one of the “Queen’s Companions”, formerly known as “Ladies in Waiting.”
The expanded guest list will meaning moving Christmas lunch to the ballroom at Sandringham. In past years, the family meal was held in the dining room.
Christmas festivities begin with the arrival of everyone by Christmas Eve. Following afternoon tea, the Royal Family opens presents, many of which are gag gifts. Games and evening meal finish off the day.
On Christmas morning, the family attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church. It is here that crowds gather to see the Royal Family go to and from church. Once they get back home, Christmas lunch is served. Games and merriment continue and, like many British households, they take the time to listen to the Sovereign’s Christmas broadcast in the afternoon.
