King Charles III loves the royal family’s Christmas traditions — especially this one aspect of the holiday season.
“They love doing gag gift exchanges and a Sandringham walkabout,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively. “They don’t do anything extravagant for gifts and do more funny gifts that make each other laugh.”
The royal family members notably spend their holidays at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla will “host a pre-Christmas luncheon” for the staff along with family and friends, the same insider tells Us. This year, the couple is using “eco-conscious decorations” and “supporting small local businesses” to get in the Holiday spirit.
“Charles is inviting reps from charities that he is involved with to some of the holiday events,” the same source shares. “His favorite holiday times are the moments with his grandkids and spending quality time with his grandkids.”
Inside the Royal Family’s Annual Christmas Celebrations and Traditions
As always, the family will celebrate with their annual Christmas Eve tea at Sandringham, along with the black-tie dinner — with “a multi-course traditional Christmas meal” — and formal church service the following morning.
Due to several members of the family having health issues this year, the royal family has a “renewed focus on family, unity and tradition” this year, the insider adds. Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton will host “a smaller intimate gathering” with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, before the full celebration. (Both Kate and Charles battled cancer this year while Camilla recently pulled out of various public events with a bout of pneumonia.)
“After everything they have been through and the difficult year, Kate is most excited about sharing the magic of Christmas with her children, helping to decorate Sandringham, and hosting her caroling event,” the source says. “Kate cherishes the traditions.”
William and Kate, plus their three kids — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — are “getting ready for the holidays as a family.”
Inside Princess Kate and Prince William’s Christmas Plans and Guest List
“They’ve been low key and getting back to normal,” the insider also tells Us. Part of their normalcy typically includes time with the king and queen. Though the foursome “have not been seeing each other as much” as the year winds down.
“Kate, William, Charles and Camilla haven’t seen each other a lot because their schedules are so busy and they live separate lives,” the source explains to Us. “They have also both been recovering and haven’t been doing as many public engagements together which would usually bring them together more frequently.”
For more details on the royal family’s Christmas celebration, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly on stands now.
