King Charles’ new holiday tradition is tied to Queen Elizabeth

The Windsors are preparing for a packed house at the Sandringham Estate this year, with Prince William recently revealing that a total of 45 family members will be attending the “loud” celebrations. With a few notable exceptions — Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, as well as their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly staying away — almost all of the royal party will gather for the royal family’s shore excursion. And according to PeopleKing Charles is reportedly adding a new holiday tradition with ties to the late Queen Elizabeth to accommodate the crowds.

The royals will continue some long-standing Christmas traditions, including exchanging joke gifts on Christmas Eve and moving in procession from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day, before enjoying a meal at the house after the service. However, sources report People that this year Charles has decided to change the location of the traditional Christmas dinner that he holds about a week before the Christmas holidays.

Last year he hosted the annual private family dinner at Windsor Castle on December 20 with guests including Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. However, with more of those guests coming to Norfolk this year, the monarch has reportedly decided to host the lunch at Buckingham Palace instead for the first time during his reign.

It’s unclear why Charles decided to move the luncheon to London instead of holding it in Windsor as usual, but his decision is a sweet nod to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. Traditionally, the late monarch hosted more than 50 people in London for lunch, including many other family members, before traveling to Norfolk for the holidays.

For the Welsh family, the London location may be a little less convenient, with Kate Middleton, Prince William and their children just minutes away from Windsor Castle at Adelaide College. However, it’s possible that the larger than average guest list has something to do with it. There is also the possibility that Charles will invite family members to lunch in London who will not be attending the Sandringham portion, such as Prince Andrew and his family, who are reportedly pulling out of this year’s celebrations amid a new political scandal.

BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond recently revealed that the royal family will be welcoming larger crowds this season after a tough year filled with health struggles between Kate and Charles.

“After the year they have had, it will certainly be very meaningful for the King and Queen to have as many family members as possible at Christmas,” said the royal expert OK!per The mirror.

Kate’s parents are expected to attend this year’s celebrations and Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles is also expected to make his Sandringham debut. Bond added: “I’m sure this will be a Christmas where the whole family will want to unite around Charles and Camilla and William and Catherine to help put this year behind them and look forward to a better year ahead to prepare.”