On Wednesday, King Charles hosted the royal family’s annual pre-Christmas lunch. I don’t know when the tradition started, but QEII perfected it by inviting the extended family to enjoy a sumptuous pre-holiday lunch at Buckingham Palace. The idea being that the “minor royals” and royal-adjacents might not get invitations to the big Christmas celebration at Sandringham, but they still get some family time before Christmas. Charles changed the location of the lunch – for the second year in a row, he’s hosted the lunch at Windsor Castle. I imagine there’s more space and probably a bigger banquet hall? Even with fewer cameras around, the Mail still got the guest list, which included Prince Andrew. Weirdly, William and Kate were no-shows. William was only in Kuwait for two days, I think. He would have been back in England for this, but he still didn’t show up.
Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie were among the royals pictured leaving Windsor Castle after enjoying a Christmas lunch held by King Charles III today – with Prince Andrew, who may soon face fresh scrutiny over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, also seen being driven away. As the evening wrapped up, members of the family – which included Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips, the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – were snapped departing from the festive gathering.
A number of other extended relatives joined Charles and Camilla for the traditional meal today. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, along with Princess Anne, led arrivals earlier today. Prince Edward, 59, was pictured at the wheel, joining his wife Sophie, 58, and their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 20.
They were closely followed by the Princess Royal, 73, sporting a chic emerald green ensemble as she was driven by her husband Tim Laurence, 68. Their daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike were also snapped at today’s event.
Lord Frederick Windsor – who is the son of the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent – was also seen, with his wife Sophie and their children. Elsewhere, Lady Helen Taylor also attended with her husband and kids. Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank could also be seen driving away after enjoying the festive lunch.
The King and Queen treated dozens of relatives to a sit-down meal – which has typically taken place annually on the Wednesday before Christmas, shortly before the monarch leaves for Sandringham for the holiday season. The tradition is one of the rare times when all the monarch’s extended family meet, and is a chance for Charles to celebrate with those who do not receive an invitation to spend Christmas in Norfolk with the senior royals.
The family are seated at round tables, enjoy a Sandringham-bred turkey lunch and pull crackers.
Again, the pre-Christmas lunch was something Charles ALWAYS attended as Prince of Wales. It speaks volumes to me that William and Kate didn’t bother. In fact, I bet they’re already in Norfolk. I’ve long held the theory that within the family, William and Kate really aren’t that popular. As for the rest of the motley crew, it also says something that Andrew is still welcome at all of these events. Not only did he mooch another free meal this week, you know he’s also got an invitation to stay in Sandringham for Christmas as well. I wonder if he’ll stay there through New Year’s, which is when Jeffrey Epstein’s client list will be revealed. Also: Sophie and Edward took pains to arrive and depart together, after mostly doing separate events for months. Hm.
What else? The Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle column claims that Charles wrote his Christmas speech by himself, without advisors or scriptwriters. Eh, he’s probably one of the better royal writers, although the bar is set pretty low.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
EMBARGOED TO 2200 GMT FRIDAY DECEMBER 23 King Charles III during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Issue date: Friday December 23, 2022.,Image: 746320483, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon 
King Charles and Camilla leave Sandringham Church after Christmas Day service,Image: 746498356, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Malcolm Clarke / Avalon 
Prince and Princess of Wales leaving Sandringham Church with children George, Charlotte and Louis after Christmas Day service,Image: 746498362, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Malcolm Clarke / Avalon
Prince Andrew Duke of York and Prince Michael of Kent at The Coronation of King Charles III at London”s Westminster Abbey 06 May 2023,Image: 774251928, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Mark Stewart / Avalon 
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attends The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.,Image: 827907410, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon 
Copyright of the photograph featured on the card is held between Buckingham Palace and Hugo Burnand. Publications are asked to credit © Buckingham Palace/Hugo Burnand. Copyright of the photo of the card itself belongs to PA. Publications are asked to credit © Buckingham Palace/Hugo Burnand/PA. The photograph of the Christmas card is being made available through PA Media on condition that: The photograph should be solely used for news editorial purposes only. It is not approved for use on souvenirs, or memorabilia; or anything similar. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals when published. The photograph shall not be used after 31st January 2023 without prior permission from Buckingham Palace. Any questions relating to additional use of the photograph should be first directed to Buckingham Palace: buckingham.palace@royal.uk The 2023 Christmas card of King Charles III and the Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace, London. The photograph was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace following Their Majesties’ Coronation on the 6th May 2023 by Hugo Burnand.,Image: 828291330, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Buckingham Palace/Hugo Burnand/PA / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW1gaYN4e8qipaCXk52us7jErJahp6OpsqWr06GcmKqfrq6tq8%2BrnGabmKe2tMDMmqqYpKWjsKmryKeWsKGemcCwvr6wn6iXp5bAoK2%2Bp6Zmq5ikxHA%3D