Christmas fun for the whole family! Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Duchess Sophie leave Windsor Castle after King Charles’s festive lunch – as the monarch leaves the traditional venue of Buckingham Palace for the second year in a row
Lady Louise Windsor, 20, joined her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as they, along with Princess Anne, led the arrivals at Windsor Castle – where King Charles and Queen Camilla will welcome extended family members for a festive turkey lunch today.
Prince Edward, 59, was pictured behind the wheel with his wife Sophie, 58, and their daughter.
They were closely followed by the Princess Royal, 73, dressed in a chic emerald green ensemble as she was driven by her husband Tim Laurence, 68.
Despite questions about whether he would appear, it appears Prince Andrew was at the Christmas lunch and was pictured in a car.
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were also photographed at today’s event.
Lady Louise Windsor, 20, joined her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as they, along with Princess Anne, led the arrivals at Windsor Castle – where King Charles and Queen Camilla will welcome extended family members for a festive turkey lunch today
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were also seen driving away after enjoying the festive lunch.
Other members included Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Peter Phillips and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – apparently with his wife, Princess Beatrice.
The King and Queen treat dozens of family members to a meal, which usually takes place annually on the Wednesday before Christmas, shortly before the monarch heads to Sandringham for the holidays.
The tradition is one of the rare occasions when the monarch’s entire extended family meets, and is a chance for Charles to celebrate with those who don’t receive an invitation to spend Christmas in Norfolk with the senior royals.
The family sits at round tables, enjoying a Sandringham turkey lunch and eating crackers.
Last year’s event saw the family come together for the biggest reunion since the Queen’s funeral in September 2022 – and it was the first time the traditional gathering had taken place since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, the late queen had planned to welcome 50 family members to Windsor Castle, where she was living at the time, but canceled due to fears over the Omicron Covid variant.
The lunch was also canceled in December 2020 when London was in lockdown and people were urged not to travel around the country due to the pandemic.
There was already a festive cheer in the air earlier this month when senior royals performed at the Princess of Wales’s annual carol service – where she high-fived and spoke to children who ‘went above and beyond’ for charity.
They were closely followed by the Princess Royal, 73, dressed in a chic emerald green ensemble as she was driven by her husband Tim Laurence, 68.
The King and Queen treat dozens of relatives to a sit-down meal – which usually takes place annually on the Wednesday before Christmas, shortly before the monarch heads to Sandringham for the holidays
Prince Edward, 59, was pictured behind the wheel with his wife Sophie, 58, and their daughter Louise
Despite questions over whether he would appear, it appears Prince Andrew was at the Christmas lunch and was pictured leaving
Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were also pictured leaving the luncheon hosted earlier in the day
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank drove away today after enjoying the festive lunch
The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent attended today’s Christmas lunch in Windsor
Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips was photographed with his two daughters at the festive Windsor lunch
Peter was behind the wheel as he drove his daughters. The family visited Windsor Castle for lunch
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, right, was pictured at the event, apparently with his wife, Princess Beatrice
Kate, 41, was joined by Prince William and their children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The royal children were seen attending the event at Westminster Abbey, while five-year-old Prince Louis once again attracted attention by blowing out his sister’s candle and talking to a statue outside.
Among the large number of royal guests were Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, her stepson Christopher Mapelli Mozzi and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips and his daughters Savannah and Isla.
Although he was unable to attend due to a diary conflict, the King donated Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to decorate Westminster Abbey, which will be donated to the local community after the service.
Among the group of celebrities waiting to greet the family in the abbey’s Lady Chapel were singers Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert, musician Jacob Collier and actor Jim Broadbent.
Catherine’s sister Pippa and husband James Matthews were also photographed arriving for the event, as were Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto.
The Princess herself unveiled a very special festive gift to guests at the concert: a rendition of Last Christmas, played on John Lennon’s piano.
It is understood Charles and Camilla will spend Christmas Day at the Norfolk Estate with relatives.
It is likely that they will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Princess Royal and her family, the Duke of Duchess and their children.
Royal Christmas Day includes a morning trip to St. Mary Magdalene Church, greeting well-wishers and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.