A former member of the Royal Household has shared how King Charles is likely to feel about his niece Princess Beatrice’s decision to choose a family skiing trip over Christmas at Sandringham this year
Charles With Princess Beatrice.(Image: Tim Graham, Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
King Charles is expected to feel disappointed by Princess Beatrice’s Christmas plans, which go against an “unwritten rule” established by his late mother, according to a former Royal Household staff member.
Whilst the festive period usually sees families reuniting, with many travelling to be with relatives, one young Royal will be heading in the opposite direction this year.
Princess Beatrice, reportedly caught between competing Christmas invitations from her disgraced parents Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, and an official summons to join the Royals at Sandringham, has chosen to avoid the predicament altogether by taking a skiing holiday abroad with her husband and children.
Grant Harrold, King Charles’s former butler, believes this decision will likely cause some upset. Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC, Grant explained: “King Charles will definitely be sad that Beatrice will miss the celebrations. He’s extremely fond of his niece and I’m sure he would have wanted to spend time with her over the holidays after such a difficult time.
“He’s well aware that she’s been caught up in the upset of everything that’s happened with her father – despite it having nothing to do with her. However he will support her decision, and will just want her to do what’s best for her.”, reports the Mirror.
In years gone by, a summons to Sandringham for Christmas was considered practically unmissable. However, Grant observes that the atmosphere has shifted considerably under the current reign: “The late Queen liked the family to be all together at Christmas. It was almost an unwritten rule that everyone had to be there. But this shows how it’s a very different set up now Charles is King, it’s not as rigid as it once was.”
Grant is confident that Beatrice will carve out time to connect with family from her skiing holiday: “I’m sure she’ll have a wonderful time. I’m sure they will still send messages or do voice calls on the day. Princess Beatrice is very close to her uncle, so I’m sure they will still speak to wish each other a happy Christmas on the big day.”
Beatrice’s father is expected to mark what could be his last Christmas at Royal Lodge before he and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are due to leave the property. It is believed he has not received an invitation to Sandringham this year.
Despite his connections with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, the former duke and his ex-wife had previously been allowed to participate in the traditional Christmas walk at the Norfolk estate.
Yet with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remaining in California, and Prince Andrew confined in disgrace at Windsor’s Royal Lodge, the number of Royals present to exchange their traditional joke gifts on Christmas Day will be noticeably reduced. “The Royal Family will definitely miss Beatrice and her family this year,” says Grant.
“They’re a really big part of the family.
“Beatrice also has a very good sense of humour, so she would have brought a lot to the Christmas lunch table. Kate and William will miss her as well, as they’re very close. But I’m sure the King and the rest of the family will be happy that Beatrice is doing what she wants and what’s right for her family this year.”
However, last year the Yorks diplomatically stayed away following disclosures concerning Andrew’s links to a Chinese businessman identified by security services as a suspected spy.
It emerged in October that Andrew would be stripped of his prince title, whilst plans have been made for his removal from Royal Lodge, the 30-room property he has inhabited on the Windsor estate. He and his ex-wife are required to vacate the residence by the end of next October.
Andrew continues to deny any wrongdoing in relation to his connection with billionaire sex offender Epstein.