Queen Camilla.Photo: Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty
Change is in the air for the royals at Christmas.
King Charlesis inviting thechildren and grandchildrenof his wifeQueen Camillato the royal family’s annual holiday gathering at Sandringham, according to anew report.
The changed guest list may mean a change of venue for the meal. In a departure from the past and the days of the late Queen Elizabeth, the royals will sit down in the bigger ballroom rather than the dining room.
Ship writes that “the guest list of those attending Christmas lunch back at Sandringham House is being radically altered — and will include many members of Queen Camilla’s family for the first time.”
He quotes someone familiar with the plans saying, “The Queen has invited her children and grandchildren this year, which is different from previous years.”
Also among Queen Camilla’s family is her sister Annabel Elliot, who is one of her “companions,” as the palace calls the ladies who help the Queen at her various official events and engagements. Annabel attended to her sister at the coronation in May.
Buckingham Palace had no comment on the arrangements.
In past years, Camilla would leave the royal family’s Christmas gathering in the afternoon to spend time with her children and grandchildren on the holiday.
However, royal biographer Ingrid Sewardtold PEOPLE last yearthat Queen Camilla would play a big role in hosting the festivities in the first holiday season since Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Seward says Camilla “will be a real presence” — “she can’t have him hosting his first Christmas on his own.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla in May 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
This Christmas will likely seeKate MiddletonandPrince William(and their childrenPrince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis) walking to church with King Charles, Queen Camilla and most of the rest of the royal family. Last year saw Prince Louis make hisfirst Christmas Day walk.
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Queen Camilla and King Charles at Christmas 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
As in recent years, King Charles' sonPrince Harryand daughter-in-lawMeghan Marklearen’t likely to attend the Christmas gathering in the U.K. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not spent Christmas with the royals since 2018.
King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, are currently preparing for the state visit of the President of South Korea, who will be in the U.K. with his wife for two days starting Monday evening.
source: people.com
