5 MINUTE AGO! Catherine & William’s Bold Festive Plan FORCED King Charles To Make Big Decision
Each year, the royal family gathers to celebrate the festive season, highlighted by the monarch’s annual Christmas message—a centerpiece of royal tradition. The family also participates in a walkabout on their way to church on Christmas Day, chatting with members of the public. However, most of the House of Windsor’s festive traditions take place behind closed doors.
This year, King Charles seems to be embracing a less traditional Christmas at Sandringham Castle, especially after Prince William and Princess Catherine shared some of their own plans. While many of the royal traditions date back centuries and might seem quirky, there is one in particular that the Princess of Wales reportedly hopes to update. She finds it a little odd, which could mean breaking a nearly 200-year tradition.
The British royals’ Christmas plans aren’t finalized, as they depend on the health of family members. The royal family is waiting to see how Charles’s health holds up in the coming months before setting concrete plans. Last Saturday, at an event at the Royal Albert Hall, the King appeared without Queen Camilla, who had pulled out due to a chest infection. Thankfully, Princess Anne was by her brother’s side, keeping a watchful eye on him throughout the ceremony. Even when attention was on the stage, Anne often glanced at Charles with what observers described as a look of “almost maternal concern.”
This touching show of support comes as sources close to Charles reveal how surprising his cancer diagnosis was, particularly as his parents both lived into their nineties. According to palace officials, things should be back on track for the royal family by the new year, which includes more travel for King Charles. The source mentioned that plans for 2025 are ambitious, with the King’s team feeling a sense of relief to be looking ahead, subject to medical approval.
At Sandringham this year, the celebrations will likely continue, though in a more relaxed, “middle-class” style at Anmer Hall. “You can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be doing proper presents for each other and their kids on Christmas Day,” a friend of William and Catherine noted. Apparently, the princess has always found the royal tradition of exchanging presents on Christmas Eve “weird” and intends to do away with it once they are officially in charge.
After a challenging year, Catherine would prefer a more relaxed Christmas surrounded by her family. Her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, along with her siblings James and Pippa, their partners, kids, and dogs, are all expected to be part of a cozy celebration. According to a family friend, William is equally enthusiastic about embracing his wife’s “more normal” version of Christmas. While they’ve kept their gatherings low-key in the past, this year, any photos they share will likely underscore this shift.
Meanwhile, for King Charles and the royal family, Christmas will be quieter. However, one tradition will likely remain: the annual walk to church. Royals, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, and cousins such as Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, make the short walk from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church for morning service. Crowds often gather along the path to hand out flowers and mementos and occasionally chat with the royals.
Though the royal family may not host a large private gathering on Christmas Day, they will uphold the long-standing tradition of attending church. It’s likely that the Wales family will join King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other extended family members in this tradition.
As for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, they aren’t expected to attend, given the strain in their relationship with the royal family. They may instead spend Christmas at Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home.
