The Royal Family’s Christmas is set to be “tinged with sadness” as the family prepare to travel to Sandringham.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to be joined by extended family in Norfolk later this week, with the whole family reuniting to enjoy the festive season.
Despite this, the family will likely be feeling some sadness as four key people are noticeably missing from the guestlist – Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The family-of-four are set to spend Christmas in the US – as they have done since 2020.
Although they were in the UK in 2019, Harry and Meghan last spent Christmas at Sandringham in 2018.
In a new interview with Closer, former royal butler Paul Burrell said: “I think the King is quite content with William, Kate and their children being at Sandringham and coming over to a spread a little fun.
“It’s going to be a smaller, low-key Christmas. But like all families, there’s always a tinge of sadness at Christmas time.”
He added: “Thinking about the ones we’ve lost, or the ones who can’t be with us. And the Royal Family are no exception, I’m sure they’ll miss Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet this Christmas. It’s sad.”
According to the Sunday Times, Harry’s friends have said that he “would love to” spend Christmas in the UK – especially as his children have never spent the festive period with their grandfather.
However, they added: “I can’t imagine the Sussexes would decline an invitation to spend time with His Majesty. As of yet, there have not been any invitations for the holidays.”
The King and Queen are set to join by Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
As well as spending time with her royal relatives, Queen Camilla will also be joined at Sandringham by her side of the family.
The Queen’s son Tom and daughter Laura have received an invite, as well as Camilla’s grandchildren Lola, Eliza, Louis, Gus and Freddy.
