A BITTERSWEET ROYAL CHRISTMAS

CHARLES AND CAMILLA PREPARE TO DOWNSIZE THEIR FIRST FESTIVE SEASON AS KING AND QUEEN CONSORT

- LEO ROBERTS

The first Christmas after the loss of a cherished member of the family is always challenging. So this year’s festivities will be particularly poignant for King Charles lll, his first Christmas since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth ll, in September. As the first major celebration without her, the family’s festivities will no doubt be tinged with sadness.

“It’ll be the first time since all the turmoil following her death that the royals will stop for a moment and, as a family, reflect and raise a glass to her,” says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. “She leaves a massive hole in their lives and that empty seat, once occupied by the Queen, will now presumably be occupied by King Charles.”

He and the Queen Consort, Camilla, are expected to spend the season at Sandringham in Norfolk. But Jennie believes the celebrations will be pared down as some of the family prefer to make their own plans.

“While I imagine there will be a gathering at Sandringham, whether it will be quite as extended as it used to be with the Queen, and with quite as many people, I’m not sure,” she says. “Without the linchpin of the Queen holding together an often fractured family, they may suddenly decide to do their own thing.”

Royal Christmas plans for 2020 were derailed by Covid and Queen Elizabeth remained at Windsor Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 the following year. She also spent last Christmas at Windsor.