The Royal Family’s Christmas will look very different in every way this year – from new guests to a new Sandringham venue

As Christmas Day approaches, the Royal Family will no doubt already have their December 25th planned down to the last detail – but as The Firm enters its new era under the reign of King Charles, things will look a little different this year.

Last Christmas the royals experienced their biggest change in decades as they celebrated their first festive period without Queen Elizabeth II, who had died just a few months earlier.

But apart from Her Majesty’s notable absence, the Royal Family on December 25 largely followed the traditions that are always observed.

This year, as King Charles begins his reign and the family itself looks a little different from previous years, there will likely be a few changes to the Christmas fanfare.

Of course, some things will remain as they always have been; such as the exchange of gifts on Christmas Eve and the service on Christmas Day in the Mary Magdalene Church. But some things will probably break tradition this year…

Family reunion: As usual, Prince William and Princess Kate will join the King and Queen at Sandringham on December 25, along with other senior royals

Camilla’s family is invited

Tom Parker Bowles attends the 2023 Cigar Smoker of the Year Dinner & Awards at Boisdale of Canary Wharf on December 4, 2023 in London, England

Festive family occasion: The Queen is said to have invited her two children Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and Laura Lopes, 45, and her five grandchildren to Christmas at Sandringham for the first time (pictured in 2018)

For the first time, Queen Camilla’s children and grandchildren appear to be celebrating Christmas with their mother and King Charles this year after reportedly being invited to Sandringham.

Laura Lopes, 45, and Tom Parker Bowles, 48, didn’t spend Christmas with their mother last year, despite her being queen.

But they are expected to descend on the Norfolk estate this year with Camilla’s grandchildren.

Food critic and MasterChef star Tom Parker Bowles has two children, Lola, 16, and Freddy, 13, with his ex-wife Sara Buys.

Meanwhile, the Queen’s daughter Laura Lopes shares daughter Eliza, 15, and twins Gus and Louis, 13, with Harry Lopes.

Will Fergie have a seat at the table?

Sarah Ferguson attends the photocall ahead of the Red Cross Charity Event on November 9, 2023 in Rome, Italy. She may make an appearance at Sandringham this year

Rumor has it that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, will be invited to Sandringham this year.

Although she and Prince Andrew have been divorced since 1996, the pair remain close friends and now jointly care for the late Queen’s Corgis, Muick and Sandy.

It has not been confirmed whether Fergie, who is carving out a new career for herself as a suffering aunt after an entertaining stint on ITV’s This Morning, will definitely be invited to Sandringham, but she will likely want to be with her grandchildren on the big day.

This year, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, welcomed their second son Ernest into the world, who was born at the end of May.

It meant Fergie became a grandmother for the fourth time as she also has a step-grandson, Wolfie Mapelli Mozzi, seven, granddaughter Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, two, and August Brooksbank, three.

A much larger dining table

The beautiful Norfolk estate has been the venue for the Royals’ Christmas celebrations for years

King Charles and Queen Camilla will adhere to royal convention and attend church at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

However, the addition of Camilla’s family, and perhaps Fergie, means that Christmas lunch will be a bigger affair than usual.

Unlike other years when their Christmas lunch was served in the Sandringham dining room, this year’s festive meal is believed to take place in the larger ballroom.

Just a festive touch

Christmas came early at Windsor Castle this year as the royal family shared photos of the lavish decorations in November

Last Christmas was marred by sadness for the royals as it was only a few months since the Queen died.

And while the memory of Queen Elizabeth and other lost relatives will still weigh heavily on the royal family over the festive period, there will likely be room for some more festive cheer this year.

The family will have plenty to be thankful for after a year that saw King Charles and Queen Camilla crowned at the coronation at Westminster Abbey in May.

They will also celebrate little Ernest’s very first Christmas after his birth in May – which will no doubt spread joy.