Here’s every single royal we saw at Buckingham Palace’s Christmas dinner

King Charles is carrying on a Christmas tradition started by his late mother Queen Elizabeth. Today he hosted a pre-Christmas lunch for members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace – the first time he has hosted it at the palace during his reign. (For the past two years the lunch has been held at Windsor Castle.)

There were some notable absences from today’s lunch: Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children have already left London for their country home in Norfolk. Additionally, Prince Andrew skipped lunch after it was revealed he was linked to a suspected Chinese spy. However, many Windsors were present at Buckingham Palace today. Here are all the royals we spotted arriving at the palace for Christmas dinner 2024:

King Charles came to lunch with his private secretary Sir Clive Alderton.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh were among the guests at the Christmas dinner.

Queen Camilla arrived for lunch in a separate car from King Charles. She was spotted wearing a pearl necklace.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, were photographed leaving lunch.

The 89-year-old Duke of Kent, who lives at Kensington Palace, made an appearance.

It looks like his daughter-in-law Sylvana Tomaselli came to him.

Princess Margaret’s granddaughter, Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones, wore a festive coat.

Princess Beatrice smiled as she arrived for lunch. She was joined by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The couple recently announced that they are expecting their second child.

Photos of the family leaving the palace after lunch showed they were joined by Edo’s son from his previous relationship, Christopher “Woolfie” Mapelli Mozzi.

Her daughter, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, also made a rare public appearance – her first in the royal family.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank also attended the Christmas dinner.

If you look closely at this photo, you’ll see a person wearing a Santa hat in the backseat – perhaps it’s Eugenie’s older son August?

A photo of the family leaving shows that their son joined them for lunch.

Princess Margaret’s grandson, Samuel Chatto, arrived alone, carrying last year’s Christmas present (a Highgrove shawl) from King Charles.

Princess Alexandra, 87, has retreated from public appearances in recent years but made a rare appearance for Christmas dinner today.

Flora Vesterberg and her husband Timothy Vesterberg were the only members of the royal family to enter Buckingham Palace.

They also set off on foot – and Timothy was pictured with some Christmas presents.

Lord Frederick Windsor, Sophie Winkleman and their daughter Isabella were pictured making their way to the palace.

Sophie wore pearl earrings for the celebratory lunch.

The Duke of Kent’s daughter, Lady Helen Taylor (right), was joined by her husband Timothy Taylor (front left), Lady Helen Taylor (front right) and their daughters Estella and Eloise Taylor.

The Duke of Kent’s son, George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews (right, wearing glasses), was accompanied by his daughters Lady Marina Windsor (back left) and Lady Amelia Windsor (back center).

His son, Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, arrived in a separate vehicle.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were among the royal family members spotted.

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, was spotted arriving. The Countess was close to the late Prince Philip. She is married to Norton Knatchbull, the grandson of Philip’s uncle Louis Mountbatten.

James Ogilvy, Princess Alexandra’s only son, arrived with his wife Julia Ogilvy, who wore a festive red scarf for the occasion.

Lady Davina Windsor (sitting in the back seat) arrived with two as yet unknown guests.

A member of the public took a photo of the King’s arrival at the palace.

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