Could this be Sandringham’s final Christmas? Downsizing Charles could ditch huge gathering

2022-11-19

This year's festive season may mark the end of the Royal Family 's tradition of spending the holiday at Sandringham, with some members of the family choosing to spend the day elsewhere going forward.

In the aftermath of the late Queen Elizabeth II's death it's likely that the tradition will go ahead this year, but that it could ultimately be the final Sandringham Christmas.

Speaking to OK! royal expert Jennie Bond has discussed how the royal's are likely to spend Christmas this year and in the years to come.

The former BBC royal correspondent pondered on how royal Christmases will be going forward, especially with many of the younger royals now having their own families too.

She said: "In terms of it being at Sandringham, I did wonder – as with so many families as they grow – if they just decide to do their own thing.

"I think William and Catherine have kind of achieved that as they have Anmer Hall, so they can leave when they want."

Although, Jennie did add: "The public do want to see the royals at Christmas and we’ve got used to seeing them walk to Church. It seems to be a natural place for a gathering to happen."

However, while this tradition may continue this year, she's not sure it'll be a staple in the royal calendar much longer.

Jennie continued: "But at some stage, I imagine William and Catherine will want to go to the Middleton home as they have done before and they’ll probably want to do that a bit more.

"Unless the Middletons get invited to Sandringham which they could be now that Charles is in charge."

Jennie also discussed whether or not it's likely that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend Christmas at Sandringham this year.

She said that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spending Christmas with the other royals would lead to an “awkward” encounter due to their upcoming Netflix docuseries and Harry’s upcoming memoir.

“I don’t think Meghan and Harry will come for Christmas. In between Netflix and their book it’d be too awkward,” she said.

According to reports,the pair’s upcoming Netflix docuseries is set to be released in a matter of weeks, with the show expected to cover events including their trip to the Netherlands for Harry’s Invictus Games in April and a visit to New York last year.

Meanwhile, Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ is set to hit shelves on 10 January – the day after the 41st birthday ofKate, Princess of Wales and just four months after thedeath of the Queen

However, Jennie does remain optimistic that reunion may be in the cards in future, as she says: "Maybe next year when the dust is settled they’ll come over here for Christmas,” she said. “ I’m sure Charles would love to spend Christmas with his grandchildren.

“Once the book is out of the way and Harry’s said what he wants to say, they could spend next Christmas with the royals.”

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