- Two royal family members will not celebrate Christmas with King Charles and Queen Camilla this year.
- One of the royal relative stated that they prefer to alternate Christmases with the royal family instead of going every year.
- Charles is notably preparing for this Christmas to be his last, according to reports.
Christmas is a big production for any family, but when it comes to the British royals, the family tends to go all out. Think: Church service at Westminster Abbey, exchanging the best gag gifts, and gobbling a delicious dinner prepared by the best hands England has to offer. But this year, the celebrations will feature two less royal family members.
While speaking with Richard Eden of The Daily Mail, Tom Parker Bowles—AKA Queen Camilla’s son—revealed that he would be sitting out from the fancy events this year with the rest of the royal family. His reasoning? He likes to switch it up by alternating years.
“I’m not [spending Christmas at Sandringham],” he told the outlet. He also confirmed the lack of attendance from a second royal family member, adding, “nor is my sister [Camilla’s daughter, Laura Lopes]. It’ll be every other year, one year on, one year off.”
Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla, and Tom Parker Bowles.
True to his word, Tom last joined Camilla and Charles for Christmas celebrations in 2024—in an interview with The Telegraph in December of last year, the food writer revealed that his mom requested his attendance.
“My mom said, ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time,’” he said, noting that the past few years have been rough of his mother and father-in-law. “It has been a hell of a two years for [Charles and Camilla]. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it,” he added.
As for his mother, Camilla will be spending this Christmas by Charles’s side as he’s preparing for it to be his final chance to celebrate the holiday.
Chris Jackson//Getty Images
Us Weekly reported that Charles “wants a special last Christmas in case it’s his last,” and will operate as he normally would, which includes joining the rest of the royal family on their annual Christmas walk, recording a speech, and spending the rest of the day with relatives.
“Nothing would stop Charles from doing that,” a source said of the speech. “He will do everything expected of him and more. His health isn’t the best. They’re taking it day by day.”
Despite Charles’s health giving Christmas a “wistful tone” this year, the source noted “it will also be a time of celebration, especially after Kate received the all-clear. They all want to make the most of their time together.”
Related Stories