Traditionally, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip would spend Christmas and New Year’s at their Sandringham Estate, surrounded by family members who didn’t get invited to Christmas. But it would seem that King Charles III might have other ideas as he takes the lead for the festivities.
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Keeping old traditions
Royal watchers hope that King Charles will resume the tradition of attending a New Year’s Eve Church service as his mother did before the pandemic and ill health got in the way. Charles is also expected to spend New Year’s with Royal Family members and friends who couldn’t make it to Sandringham for Christmas.
Thus, Royal fans are hoping that Princess Anne will appear by the King’s side on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, as she was too unwell to make it out on Christmas Day.
It is thought that, like his mother before him, King Charles wants to keep to his usual routine as much as possible, continuing to work on official paperwork and deal with affairs of state.
A change in traditions
A remarkable change in the festivities this year is that Camilla, Queen Consort, didn’t leave the Norfolk Estate on Boxing Day as it is believed her daughter, Laura Lopes, and her grandchildren spent Christmas with the Royals.
According to Mail Online, King Charles will likely leave Sandringham shortly after Christmas to spend the beginning of the year at his Scottish Highland home of Birchall, on the late Queen’s Balmoral Estate.
Charles spent the New Year’s festivities at his Scottish residence while still the Prince of Wales. It is thought that the King and Queen Consort’s Scottish residence is their favourite. And despite it being their ‘summer’ home, they have seen many a New Year’s there.
In doing so, the King will break one of his mother’s longest-standing traditions. The Queen used to stay at her Norfolk Estate until early February. It is thought that Elizabeth liked to spend the anniversary of her father’s death and the day she ascended the throne in quiet contemplation at her father’s favourite Royal residence.
If the King cuts short his stay at Sandringham, the Christmas season will be much shorter than under his mother’s reign, with fewer Royal shoots.
Sources used:
- Mail Online: A break from tradition: King Charles will leave Sandringham for Birkhall shortly after Boxing Day instead of remaining until February like his late mother
- Express.co.uk: How do the royal family celebrate New Year's Eve?
- Express.co.uk: King Charles set to break late Queen festive tradition by leaving Sandringham early
- Hello!: How the royal family's New Year celebrations will differ after the Queen's passing
