It's the same conversation happening up and down the country: "What are you doing for Christmas?" A question often loaded with expectation and anticipation - tossed into a phone call like an emotional hand grenade ready to go off at any moment.
The Windsors may not be a typical family, but when it comes to the knotty logistics at Christmas, they are certainly not immune from the same domestic dramas as the rest of us. Christmas at Sandringham follows the tramlines laid by the late Queen. She, in turn, was following in the footsteps of her great-greatgrandmother, Queen Victoria. Immediate family (children and grandchildren) are invited to Sandringham from Christmas Eve, when, in the German custom, "Heiligabend Bescherung", imported by Queen Victoria, presents are opened.
Christmas Day begins with the 330ft walk from Sandringham to St Mary Magdalene Church and then moves to a strict timetable of eating, sleeping, dog walking, and Christmas lunch itself restricted to a sharp 50 minutes. A Christmas tea takes place, and then, on Boxing Day, there is a large shooting party followed by a formal dinner, with the men in black tie and the women in gowns. Tiaras and jewels are worn.
There have been reports from the Sussex household in Montecito, California, that Harry and Meghan would "not decline" an invitation - the story emerging after Harry called the King on his 75th birthday last week. Apparently, both Harry and Meghan were on the call, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, sang to the grandfather they are by now surely eager to spend more time with in person. However, if the Sussexes are ready to, as sources put it, “change the state of play”, Charles may not be on the same Christmas hymn sheet. His camp, it seems, is less inclined to extend an olive branch – and an invitation – to the Sussexes this Christmas. And it’s not hard to understand why.
Denne historien er fra November 22, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 22, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Slot demands greater focus.for 'special' Anfield night
As Arne Slot looked forward to his first European night at Anfield, Alexis Mac Allister harked back to his Champions League bow. Which was all of two weeks ago. As the Liverpool midfielder noted, it is remarkable he had won the World Cup before even playing in the premier club competition. \"For some people it was a surprise I won a World Cup but I made my debut against [AC] Milan in the Champions League so it is quite crazy,\" the Argentina international said.
Easy night for Gunners in match that lacked jeopardy
A \"big Champions League night\" that ended up being quite a nice run-out for Arsenal. Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain looked less a sportswashing project and more a youth project. The level of superiority in this 2-0 win is again to Arsenal's credit, but should also be a worry for Uefa.
Enshrining tips in law for servers misses the point
Time to pay our waiting staff properly, argues James Moore
Dobbies to shut 17 stores with nearly 500 jobs at risk
Garden centre group Dobbies has revealed plans to shut 17 stores putting nearly 500 jobs at risk. Dobbies said the proposed closures are part of a restructuring plan to help return the business to profit and reduce its rent bill.
Flying is the easy bit but the transfers are something else
Dublin, Bristol, Athens and many more... readers share their bemusement at busy airports with terrible transport links
Assange says he 'pled guilty to journalism' to win release
Julian Assange has said that he is free after years of incarceration because he \"pled guilty to journalism\".
Children among at least 23 dead after school bus fire
At least 23 children and teachers are feared dead after a bus carrying students caught fire in suburban Bangkok yesterday.
New Nato chief says top priority remains Ukraine
Mark Rutte, the former Dutch premier, plays down fears of Donald Trump as he promises to strengthen the organisation
Girl suffers serious injury in acid attack outside a school
Teacher also hurt trying to help as suspect fled on e-scooter
Universities urge return to UK-EU student exchanges
British universities have urged the government to reintroduce EU student exchanges which were halted after Brexit, such as the Erasmus programme. A new report from Universities UK, an organisation that advocates for 141 universities across the country, said Sir Keir Starmer's government should \"strongly consider the case\" to rejoin the scheme, cancelled under Boris Johnson.