The royals are set to officially commence their traditional Christmas festivities today with a special event.
Prior to their journey to Sandringham for the main celebration next week, the Firm also partakes in a grand Christmas lunch and gathering in the lead-up to December 25.
They typically convene in the week preceding Christmas, with an impressive 70 guests usually invited to the party.
For the last two years, King Charles has hosted the event at Windsor Castle, but it is anticipated to return to Buckingham Palace today, where the late Queen frequently held the lunch.
The occasion is private, so no photos are released from within, however Mike Tindall, who is wedded to the King’s niece Zara Tindall, once previously spilled the beans on the event.
Despite children such as Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis being invited to the event, he disclosed that they don’t even sit with the other royals – instead, they have their own room with the other royal children, where they relish their Christmas meal.
In 2019, ex-rugby player Mike discussed the celebrations on his rugby podcast, revealing a few thrilling details. His co-stars James Haskell and Alex Payne queried which of the seven tables he was seated at, reports the Mirror.
They quizzed: “Do you find yourself upgrading every year and getting closer to the main table or are you off out the back? Is there a promotion and relegation based on the year’s performance? Because if there is I imagine you’re pretty much sitting on the right-hand side of Her Majesty.”
Mike didn’t respond during the banter but later revealed: “I was on Prince Charles’s table, it was lovely.”
He also shared that the royal youngsters, including his own kids Mia, Lena, and Lucas, enjoy their meal at a separate kiddies’ table. He explained: “This is the family lunch, there were seven tables so there must have been about 70 of us there. The kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew is notably absent from today’s royal gathering amid the controversy surrounding his ties with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
Opting out of this year’s event due to the scandal, as reported by the Daily Mail, it was Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, who suggested he maintain a low profile and skip the Palace festivities. Additionally, the pair have chosen to stay at their Royal Lodge residence on Christmas Day instead of joining the rest of the royals at Sandringham, aiming to prevent further embarrassment to the King.
Andrew and Sarah have experienced quite the transformation in the span of a year. Last Christmas saw them, along with their daughters, welcomed to Sandringham for holiday festivities, where they joined the Royal morning walk to church—significantly, the first time Sarah had been included since 1991, hinting at a restoration into the Royal circle for the Duchess who is now 65.
Despite the recent turbulence Royal Correspondents associate with her former spouse, Fergie’s allegiance to Andrew remains steadfast. She recently expressed her enduring affection for the Prince to the Times in an interview held “before recent revelations about Andrew” but released subsequently.
Sarah effusively declared: “I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. I would do it all over again, 100 per cent. He’s the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind. Our wedding was the best day of my life. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. It’s still with us today. I won’t let him down. He supports me as much as I support him. He’s supported me through thick and thin, not just marriage or divorce. We agree on the three Cs – communication, compromise, compassion.”
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