The Prince and Princess of Wales will reportedly not join the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas lunch this year, but another surprise royal will attend instead, it has been claimed.
Prince William and Princess Kate are expected to attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate but according to a royal commentator, they have other plans for the rest of the day.
The royals traditionally spend Christmas morning at church before they return to the estate for a day of festivities.
But according to royal commentator Emily Andrews, the Waleses will likely head back to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, so the family can spend the rest of the day with Princess Kate’s parents.
She wrote for Woman magazine: “They [William and Kate] prefer the informality of a relaxed lunch at nearby Anmer Hall.
“And I understand will do so again this year, with the addition of the Middleton family.”
The Middletons have been a pillar of support to Kate the past few months, following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Ms Andrews added: “So a festive, joyous Middleton Christmas with all the trimmings will be just the ticket.
“It’s also likely to include Kate’s sister Pippa, her husband James Matthews and children Arthur, six, Grace, three and Rose, two, along with her brother James Middleton, his wife Alizée and son Inigo, one.”
However, the royal commentator claimed that while the Waleses are not expected to join the royals to the Christmas lunch, another controversial royal figure is – Prince Andrew.
The Duke of York may have stepped down as a senior working royal in 2019 due to his linked to Jeffrey Epstein, however, he still attends family events, which is what the Christmas lunch will be. He is expected to be joined by his former wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Mr Emily wrote: “Charles is still receiving treatment for cancer and so Christmas at the ‘Big House’ may be more muted.
“Friends say that the extended Royal Family who were invited to Sandringham last year – among them Prince Andrew and his family, and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, are awaiting to see how Charles’ health holds up in the coming weeks, but they hope to all go.”