King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family’s annual Christmas walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, marking their third year at the helm. The 2024 walk held particular significance, following a year marked by cancer diagnoses for both King Charles, 76, and Kate Middleton, 42.
The traditional walk, a cherished event in the royal calendar, allows the family to interact with the public and share in the holiday spirit. This year, the King and Queen were joined by a large contingent of family members, including Prince William, 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, along with their children Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, also participated. Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, accompanied by their families, were also present. Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and his son Christopher Woolf, 8, joined the procession, while their daughter Sienna, 3, was not seen.
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King Charles’s February cancer diagnosis and Kate Middleton’s announcement in March cast a shadow over the year. While the specific types and stages of their cancers remain private, the palace confirmed that the King’s cancer was not prostate cancer. Kate announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in September, while the King’s treatment continues. A December 20th palace statement indicated positive progress in the King’s treatment, which will continue into the new year.
The King displayed his resilience and humor during his final pre-Christmas engagement on December 19th, quipping, “I’m still alive.” The walk followed Queen Camilla’s recovery from a bout of pneumonia that forced her to cancel several engagements.
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Noticeably absent were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were not invited to the family gathering and reportedly celebrated the holiday in the U.S. with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Prince Andrew, due to his association with an alleged Chinese spy, also did not attend. Sarah Ferguson, who was present at Sandringham in 2023, was also absent this year. Princess Eugenie spent Christmas with her in-laws, while Princess Beatrice, pregnant with her second child, was advised against traveling to Italy to be with her in-laws.
A new face at the Sandringham Christmas was anticipated to be Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, who shared his mother’s invitation and his excitement about joining the royal family for the holiday. He admitted to knowing little about the Sandringham traditions but anticipated a festive gathering with the usual Christmas fare.
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Prince William offered a glimpse into the royal family’s Christmas plans during a December 10th visit with soldiers and their families, predicting a lively celebration with 45 family members at Sandringham. The royal family’s Christmas Eve traditions include exchanging gag gifts and the Christmas Day procession to St. Mary Magdalene Church. Upon returning to Sandringham House, the family enjoys a traditional Christmas lunch followed by the King’s annual Christmas speech.
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Royal biographer Ingrid Seward highlighted King Charles’s affection for Sandringham and his commitment to upholding cherished Christmas traditions. Prince William fondly recalled childhood Christmas memories of the walk to church, emphasizing the enduring significance of this annual event for the royal family.
