First Christmas at Sandringham without the Queen will be ‘less formal’ than usual and the family will NOT tune in to watch the King’s speech, royal expert claims
- Jennie Bond says Charles’ first Christmas as monarch will be ‘less buttoned up’
- Royal author says the family won’t watch the King’s first Christmas speech on TV
- Expert described it as ‘archaic’ and says focus will be on personal memories
The Royal Family’s first Christmas without the Queen will be ‘less formal’ than usual and they will not tune in to watch the King speech, a royal expert has claimed.
Jennie Bond, the BBC’s former royal correspondent, says that the Royal Family will still gather at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk this year to celebrate the festivities.
Speaking to OK!, the expert explained how Christmas has always been a formal celebration in the Royal household – with the family either bowing or curtsying to Her Majesty.
Instead, the royal author says King Charles’ first Christmas as monarch will be ‘less buttoned up’ than previous years.
However, the expert says King Charles will break the family’s tradition of always gathering to watch the monarch’s television address when it airs in the afternoon.
The Royal Family will celebrate their first Christmas without The Queen next month, a royal expert has claimed. The late monarch pictured at Windsor Castle on 23 December 2021
The King, Queen Consort and Prince and Princess of Wales pictured at Buckingham Palace on September 18, 2022
The royals are still expected to spend Christmas at the Sandringham estate (pictured) as usual
Instead, the expert says Charles will ditch this ‘archaic’ ritual and instead want his loved ones to focus on reminiscing about their happy times with the Queen.
What’s more, author says the King will likely in his mother’s footsteps and pre-record his speech ahead of time.
She added: ‘I’m sure he’ll record [the speech] a few days before and it’s bound to have some reflection on their loss.’
The royals are still expected to attend a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate before returning home for their Christmas meal.
The Queen pictured leading the Royal Family out of the St Mary Magdalene Church service on Christmas Day in 2017
Earlier this month, it was reported King Charles invited Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to the family’s Christmas celebrations, despite them quitting royal duties almost three years ago.
But a source close to the King said: ‘They are unlikely to attend.’
It will be the first time that Charles hosts the annual family gathering and Christmas break at the private estate in Norfolk.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will be there, staying at nearby Anmer Hall, the home they were given by the Queen.
King Charles is said to have invited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle but they are ‘unlikely to attend’, according to a royal source. The King pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arriving at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day 2018
The Royals have made Sandringham their base for Christmas and New Year since 1988, however in 2020 and 2021, the Queen spend Christmas at Windsor. The Queen is pictured with William and Kate at Windsor in December 2020
Other family members are expected to join the King and Queen Consort on their walk to church on Christmas morning.
The Royal Family has made Sandringham their base for Christmas and New Year since 1988.
Although the family traditionally spends the holiday at the country estate, the last few years had seen a change in routine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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