The Prince of Wales has revealed he will be spending Christmas with 45 people “all in one room” – but admitted he is still unprepared for the festive season.
William and his wife, the Princess of Wales, and their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – are expected to join the King and Queen and extended family for a traditional royal Christmas in Norfolk.
It will come at the end of a difficult year health-wise for the royals, with the King and the Princess of Wales both being diagnosed with cancer.
But in a visit to a seasonal event at Bulford, Wiltshire, for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, William said he and Kate were looking forward to the festivities.
William sat down and spoke to soldiers and their families before handing out bags of presents to children around a Christmas tree.
He told one family: “Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready.”
The heir to the throne told others he was looking forward to spending it with 45 members of his family “all in one room” but said they are “normally spread out”.
The prince was presented with two cards the children had made for him, as well as a portrait drawn by Karson Heighway, 10.
He put the picture, drawn with crayons on a sticky note, in his pocket, laughing: “I look like I have five nostrils.”
Sgt Sam Murray, who has served with the regiment for 20 years, spoke to William as his son Karson drew his portrait.
“He asked what my children wanted for Christmas,” Sgt Murray said.
“He said he is not organised himself.”
Leah St Clair-Lewis discussed her role within services welfare with William before talking about their dogs.
“We spoke about what he was up to for Christmas and enjoying walks with his dogs at Sandringham,” Mrs St Clair-Lewis said.
“He said there will be 45 of them under one roof for Christmas.
“He didn’t say whether that was just for one day or over the Christmas period. They must need a very long table.”
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Members of the Royal Family traditionally walk to church together on the morning of 25 December, before enjoying a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings at Sandringham House.
