King Charles has made a significant change to the royal family's Christmas plans by moving the annual pre-Christmas lunch to Buckingham Palace this year. The event was previously held at Windsor Castle for the past two years. The King, aged 76, will host extended family members, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Mike and Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and their families.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children may also attend if they have not already retreated to Anmer Hall in Norfolk for the school holidays. The late Queen Elizabeth II's cousins, such as Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, are also expected to join.
In 2019, Mike Tindall revealed on a podcast that the gathering typically includes around 70 guests, with seven tables and a separate children's table. He noted that he was seated at then-Prince Charles' table, describing the event as 'lovely, really good.'
According to The Sunday Times, the Duke of York has been encouraged to make a discreet arrival and exit amid his latest scandal. Last week, a court revealed Prince Andrew's connection to an alleged Chinese spy banned from Britain on national security grounds. The man visited Buckingham Palace twice and entered St James's Palace and Windsor Castle at the Duke's invitation. Andrew stated he 'ceased all contact' with the individual when concerns were first raised, and his office said the meetings were through 'official channels' with no sensitive topics discussed.
The Buckingham Palace lunch is for extended family members who cannot attend the Sandringham gathering at Christmas. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined in Norfolk by the Queen's children, Tom Parker Bowles, Laura Lopes, and their families, who have been invited for the first time.
