The walk to Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate has become traditional (Image: Getty)
King Charles has spoken more than once of his plan to modernise the monarchy, and his son is thought to be hoping to make even more drastic changes, highlighted by his statement about using “a smaller ‘r’ in Royal.”
One royal tradition that could be for the chop is the familiar Christmas royal procession to church. While the family had been attending Christmas services at St. Mary Magdalene Church privately for decades, Queen Elizabeth II made the walk a more public event during her reign, and since the early 1980s it has become a future in the royal calendar.
But, according to the Daily Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle column, it could soon become a thing of the past. According to one royal insider, the Prince and Princess of Wales are thinking of moving towards the sort of Chistmas routine many couples with children tend to plump for – alternating between the two sets of grandparents.
The King and Queen may go their separate ways immediately after Christmas (Image: Getty)
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They reportedly plan to start spending every other Christmas break with the Middletons. Queen Camilla “beats a hasty retreat to Wiltshire after Christmas to host her own family celebration,” the column suggests, marking another major departure from the traditional royal family Christmas.
The King is expected to treated to his Scottish estate in Birkhall after the traditional Boxing Day shoot, unlike his mother who for the last four decades of her reign would spend the Christmas and New Year period in Sandringham.
Another royal tradition is now changing, as a result of ’s departure to the USA. Royal expert Duncan Larcombe told OK! Magazine, “It’s a long-running tradition for the family to exchange joke gifts at Christmas, so there’s always a lot of laughter at Sandringham.
Prince Andrew is not expected to put in an appearance at Sandringham (Image: Getty)
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“In the past, used to be the biggest joker,” Duncan added, “but now I imagine it’s Charles, who has a very strong sense of humour.”
He added: “Sometimes we imagine the royals are all very serious, but they like a good giggle like most families. Charles once said having a sense of humour is what keeps him sane, and so sharing joke presents helps lighten the atmosphere when things can otherwise be quite formal.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not celebrated Christmas with the royal family since 2018, and it’s expected that will “honourably withdraw” from Royal Family events at Christmas to avoid being a distraction.