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The holidays have historically been a happy time for the royal family, full of long-standing traditions such as opening presents on Christmas Eve at Sandringham Estate and taking part in the annual Christmas morning walk to St Mary Magdalene Church. For princess kate and Prince Williamit’s that time of year when they retreat to their cozy country home and snuggle up with their three kids for quiet walks in the woods, board games and favorite Christmas movies.
This season will be even more special for the Prince and Princess of Wales after an extremely difficult 2024, in which both Kate, 42, and William’s 76-year-old father, King Charles III is battling cancer (Charles continues to receive treatment; Kate announced that she is cancer free in the September video message). “This past year has been one of the most challenging yet for (them),” the royal expert Sharon Carpenter says in Us Weekly‘s latest cover story. (William described as “brutal” in a November interview.) “You can only imagine the relief and gratitude they must be feeling.” Kate couldn’t be happier to spend the next few weeks surrounded by the loved ones who helped her through her darkest hours. “Kate is really looking forward to joining the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas,” added Carpenter. “The holidays will no doubt be an opportunity for the whole family to give thanks.”
Kate’s gratitude was on full display in a heartfelt letter she shared with guests attending her fourth annual Christmas Carols Together service at Westminster Abbey (airing in the UK on December 24). The ceremony honors those who have shown “love, kindness and empathy” towards others – sentiments Kate now holds especially dear. “Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year,” the mom of three wrote. “It’s a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us a chance to slow down and think about the deeper things that connect us all.” This carol is a heartfelt celebration of each of you,” she added, “and a reminder that at Christmas, as throughout the year, we must all shine for one another.
Magical time
Before joining the usual festivities with the rest of the royal family, William, 42, and Kate got into the holiday spirit with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. I attended school concerts and visited a local tree farm. At Anmer Hall — a five-minute drive from Sandringham — they’ll be baking, writing their wish lists, playing games like Risk and Monopoly and watching movies (Elf is a favorite). They also hang out with Kate’s parents, Carol and Michael Middletonboth of whom have provided tremendous support to Kate and William during her health crisis. “Kate is very important to spend time with her side of the family,” says Carpenter. “It’s a more private, relaxed environment away from the public eye.”
King Charles III, Queen consort Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate Middleton and more members of the royal family took part in the annual walk to the Christmas church service in Sandringham. As is tradition, Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, led the royal family on Monday, December 25, as they made their way to St Mary Magdalene Church, (…)
Kate has always been a big fan of the holidays – but she appreciates all the special moments even more after everything she’s been through. (“I can’t tell you what a relief it is to finally finish my chemo treatments,” she said in a video message from September, adding, “My road to healing and full recovery is long, and I have to continue to take each day as is coming.”) In October, The King: The Life of Charles III the author Christopher Andersen said U.S the future queen has a new outlook on life. “(She sees) how it can change in the blink of an eye,” he said. Carpenter added: “One of the highlights for Kate will no doubt be watching George, Charlotte and Louis enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Royal celebration
Holidays 2024 will be a mix of old and new for the royal family. Guests usually arrive at Sandringham – Charles’s 20,000-acre estate – on Christmas Eve, and the children put the finishing touches to the 20ft tree in the White Drawing Room before everyone opens the presents displayed on a long table. In his memoirs from 2023. Spare, Prince Harry he remembers “a free-for-all, with dozens of family members talking at once and dragging and tearing the wrapping paper.”
Gifts are inexpensive and often humorous. Harry reportedly once gave his late grandmother a present Queen Elizabeth II a shower cap that says “Life is a bitch,” while Charles’ sister, Princess Anne74, he is said to have given the monarch a leather toilet seat. It is also claimed that before Harry met his wife, Meghan MarkleKate gave him a “Grow Your Own Girlfriend” kit. Later, the adults sit down to a salad and fish dinner.
Princess Kate Middleton made an unexpected but very welcome return to public duties alongside her husband, Prince William, on October 10, when the couple visited the town of Southport to show support following the attack on three children on July 29. As they made their way to the local community center, the couple took a closer look at the (…)
After breakfast on Christmas Day, they go to church. In 2022, William recalled getting the giggles while sitting across from his cousins. “Having my relatives against me always made it difficult to keep a straight face,” he admitted. The Palace the author Gareth Russell says U.S lunch “traditionally consists of an appetizer of shrimp or lobster salad, followed by roast turkey and all the usual trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding with brandy butter.” (Russell says Charles also keeps his mother’s tradition of sharing a glass of whiskey with the chef at Sandringham.) Then feast gather to watch Charles’ pre-recorded Christmas speech.
Carpenter says the king will “add some modern touches” along the way by using eco-friendly LED lights and opening up his Highgrove home (where he and Queen Camilla77, will remain in the days leading up to Christmas) and other royal residences for the public. “(It) will help the public feel more connected to the royals this holiday season,” she explains. Russell adds, “I think, like many families who have lost an older relative, there’s always a balance between keeping old traditions and introducing new ones.”
Family first
William’s relatives will probably be on the guest list Princess Beatrice36 i Princess Eugenie34, as well as their children (Beatrice — who is she is expecting a child this spring — and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi they share Sienna, 3, and Mosie’s 8-year-old son, Wolfie, from a previous relationship; Eugenie is a mom on August 3 and Ernesta, 18 months, with her husband Jack Brooksbank), and their parents, Prince Andrija64, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, 65, who was a surprise addition in 2023 after a 30-year absence. Zara, 43, i Mike Tyndall46 (parents to Mia, 10, Lena, 6, and Lucas, 3), and Zara’s mom, Princess Anneare also expected to attend along with Prince Edward60 i Duchess Sofia59, and their children Louise, 21, and James, 16. (Carpenter says whispers Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, and their two children, Archie and Lilibeth, “were not invited.”)
Prince William accompanied his and wife Princess Kate Middleton’s three children to her annual “Together at Christmas” on Friday, December 6. William, 42, was spotted arriving at London’s Westminster Abbey, wearing a smart navy suit with a burgundy tie and twins with sons Prince George, 11, and Prince Louis, six. William and Kate (…)
The focus will be on children. During last year’s royal walk, Prince Louis was photographed holding hands with Mia, and in 2021, William said he loved seeing the little ones bond over the holidays. “When I see my kids meet my cousins’ kids and they all have a great time playing together, it’s very special,” he explained. “I’m very much looking forward to it.” Carpenter adds that, given their health battles, Kate and Charles are “very much looking forward to being surrounded by family, and there will be a lot of royal children in attendance who will bring a kind of lighthearted, fun energy that serves as a nice distraction from all the serious stuff.” .”
Support system
Kate drew strength from her father-in-law. “She shares an extremely special bond with Charles after both faced similar health battles at the same time,” says Carpenter. “They were there for each other.” Their health problems combined to affect the entire family. “Family members have done a phenomenal job of taking on additional duties in their absence,” adds Carpenter. “From William burning the candle at both ends at home and at work, to Queen Camilla showing the same kind of support for the King, plus other senior royals trying to keep things running smoothly – they are all closer than ever.”
Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton are keeping their vacation plans for their immediate family this season, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly. “William and Kate will take the children for a walk at Sandringham (Estate) and to Mass at St Mary Magdalene” on Christmas Day, says the insider, noting: “Kate and William are looking to (…)
In a Groove
Kate will enter the new year with cautious optimism. “As William said in September, there’s still a ‘long way to go’ and Kate will undoubtedly do what she (can) be comfortable with,” says a royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. Carpenter adds: “Kate is still taking things slowly during her ongoing recovery, but it must be wonderful to be back doing what she loves — work and family.”
For more on Kate, watch the exclusive video above and pick up latest edition Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
