King Charles and Queen Camilla Lead Royal Family Christmas Walk
In a year marked by health issues, members of the royal family joined for a cherished tradition. King Charles and Queen Camilla led the annual Christmas walk for the third consecutive year. This occurred after a particularly challenging 2024, during which both the King and Kate Middleton faced cancer diagnoses.
The royal couple, aged 76 and 77, made their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate. The family traditionally gathers there each December for the holidays. This festive walk enables royal family members to interact with the public and has become a staple tradition.
Joining King Charles and Queen Camilla were Kate Middleton, her husband Prince William, and their three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, attended with their children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17. Also present were Princess Anne, her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and Anne's children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, along with their families.
King Charles publicly announced his cancer diagnosis on February 5. Later, on March 22, Kate released a video confirming her own cancer diagnosis. Details about the types and stages of their cancers remain private. However, the palace clarified that King Charles' cancer is not prostate cancer, which he was treated for in January.
On September 9, the Princess of Wales shared that her chemotherapy had ended, while King Charles continues his ongoing treatment. A palace source indicated on December 20 that the King’s treatment shows positive progress for this managed condition, and it will continue into the next year.
On December 19, during his last royal engagement before Christmas, King Charles exhibited his humor, responding to inquiries about his health with, "I'm still alive." This walk took place a few weeks after Camilla missed several royal engagements due to a chest infection, later revealed as pneumonia.
King Charles's younger son, Prince Harry, and his spouse Meghan Markle were notably absent from the walk. They were not invited to join the family gathering and are reportedly celebrating the holiday in the U.S. with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince Andrew also missed the annual event while not spending Christmas at Sandringham. Amid his alleged connections to a Chinese spy, Sarah Ferguson, who attended Christmas at Sandringham in 2023 for the first time in decades, was absent. Their younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, chose to spend the holiday with her in-laws, while Princess Beatrice missed the walk to stay home due to medical advice during her pregnancy.
Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and his son Christopher Woolf, 8, walked to church with the royal family. However, their daughter Sienna, 3, was not seen.
A new addition to Christmas at Sandringham this year is Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles. He expressed excitement about returning for the holiday, mentioning that his mother invited him, noting they hadn't spent it together for a long time. Tom humorously stated, "I genuinely know nothing about it," aside from what traditional elements expect, like turkey and Christmas church services.
Earlier, Prince William offered insights on their Christmas celebrations during a visit to soldiers' families in Bulford, Wiltshire. He shared, "We'll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We'll be 45 for Christmas. It won't be quiet; it will be noisy."
Christmas Eve at Sandringham includes a tradition where family members exchange inexpensive gag gifts. The following day, they process from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church. Following the public greeting, they enjoy a Christmas lunch, which features a traditional feast. This meal includes turkey, glazed ham, roasted potatoes, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding. After lunch, they will view King Charles's annual Christmas speech, broadcast at 3 p.m. U.K. time.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward has noted that "Charles has always been very, very fond of Sandringham." She emphasized that Christmas traditions are essential to any family, especially for him. Prince William has also shared that the Christmas walk is a long-standing family tradition: "It must be at least 25 years by now." These moments remain significant to him, recalling how his grandfather, Prince Philip, would walk quickly, leaving gaps as the family tried to keep pace.
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