Christmas with the royals will be different this year: King Charles' plans for the festive season revealed
King Charles' first Christmas as monarch will be "less buttoned up" than previous years.
That's according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, who says while the family will still gather at Sandringham in Norfolk, they can expect a less formal occasion including the breaking of some of Her Majesty's traditions.
This will reportedly include the tradition of watching the monarch's pre-recorded Christmas television address when it airs.
"I'm sure he'll record [the speech] a few days before and it's bound to have some reflection on their loss," she told OK!
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King Charles' first Christmas as monarch will be "less buttoned up" than previous years. James Glossop/Pool Photo via AP
The family are still expected to attend a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly declined an invitation to join the royals for Christmas, opting to stay at their home in Montecito in the US with their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, one.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren't expected to be joining the royals for Christmas this year. Getty
This year is sure to be a solemn festive season for the royal family, their first without Queen Elizabeth who died on September 8 aged 96.
Expected at Sandringham, King Charles and Camilla the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children who will be staying at their nearby residence Anmer Hall and other key members of the royal family.
This will be the royal family's first Christmas without the Queen who died on September 8. Getty
The royal family has gathered at Sandringham for Christmas and the New Year since 1988. Queen Elizabeth typically stayed at Sandringham from late December through the holidays until after February 6, which is the anniversary of her father, King George VI's, death.
Although primarily the home of Queen Elizabeth while she was alive, Charles took over the management of the Sandringham estate in 2017, establishing sustainable farming and eco-friendly practices.
Vision of the estate is shared on the Instagram account @Sandringham1870.
