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King Charles hosts royal Christmas lunch at Windsor Castle

Charles and the Queen Consort have treated dozens of relatives to a sit-down turkey lunch today – after the King hosted his first annual Christmas meal for the wider Royal Family as monarch at Windsor Castle. 

This year’s event saw the family brought together in the largest reunion since the Queen‘s funeral in September – and was the first time the traditional gathering has taken place since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Dozens of royals attended, with the Queen Consort and Earl and Countess of Wessex among the first to arrive, but notable absentees included Prince Harry and Meghan and their son Archie and daughter Lilibet, who remain in the US.

The turkey-and-trimmings lunch has typically taken place annually at Buckingham Palace on the Wednesday before Christmas, shortly before the monarch leaves for Sandringham for the festive season. 

The Queen Consort looked serene as she was driven into Windsor Castle today, wrapping up warm in a padded navy jacket, ahead of the annual Christmas lunch 

However this year, in a break from tradition, the event took place at Windsor Castle. 

The first to arrive this afternoon was King Charles himself, who travelled to Windsor in a car. He opted for a smart baby blue tie for the occasion, which he paired with a navy blue suit. 

Meanwhile the Queen Consort followed shortly afterward, and looked serene as she was driven into the castle grounds.

She was wrapped up warm in a padded navy jacket, which she paired with a blue velvet blouse beneath. 

King Charles hosted his first annual Christmas lunch for the wider royal family as monarch at Windsor Castle this afternoon

King Charles hosted his first annual Christmas lunch for the wider royal family as monarch at Windsor Castle this afternoon 

Meanwhile Princess Anne donned a pair of dark sunglasses as she was driven into the event by her husband Tim Laurence

Meanwhile Princess Anne donned a pair of dark sunglasses as she was driven into the event by her husband Tim Laurence 

Mike Tindall and wife Zara alongside their children are spotted leaving Windsor Castle today

Mike Tindall and wife Zara alongside their children are spotted leaving Windsor Castle today

Zara, 41, was pictured in a blue and gold patterned ensemble for the festive lunch today

Zara, 41, was pictured in a blue and gold patterned ensemble for the festive lunch today

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent sit alongside one another while leaving Windsor Castle

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent sit alongside one another while leaving Windsor Castle

Prince Edward drove his wife, Sophie Wessex, and their teenage daughter Lady Louise Windsor, into the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Countess and Lady Louise sat next to each other in the back seat of the car.  

And while the Countess opted for a smart brown coat for the occasion, Lady Louise appeared to don a bright pink floral blouse for the outing. 

The unassuming 19-year-old, often seen in country casuals or prim dresses, spent her childhood largely out of the spotlight, and recently started attending St Andrew’s University. 

Meanwhile Sophie Wessex arrived at the event alongside her teenage daughter Lady Louise (pictured)

Meanwhile Sophie Wessex arrived at the event alongside her teenage daughter Lady Louise (pictured) 

Prince Edward drove his family to the event at Windsor Castle this afternoon, with Sophie and his daughter Lady Louise in the back seat

Prince Edward drove his family to the event at Windsor Castle this afternoon, with Sophie and his daughter Lady Louise in the back seat 

The Duke of Kent and his granddaughter Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor is seen leaving Windsor Castle after attending the festive lunch

The Duke of Kent and his granddaughter Lady Marina Charlotte Windsor is seen leaving Windsor Castle after attending the festive lunch

Lady Helen Taylor and Timothy Taylor are pictured leaving the lunch after attending alongside the Duke of Kent

Lady Helen Taylor and Timothy Taylor are pictured leaving the lunch after attending alongside the Duke of Kent

Meanwhile Princess Anne donned a pair of dark sunglasses as she was driven into the event by her husband Tim Laurence. Mike and Zara Tindall also attended the event with their children.

The tradition is one of the rare times when all the monarch’s extended family meet, and is a chance for the King to celebrate with those who do not receive an invitation to spend Christmas in Norfolk with the senior royals. 

The family are seated at round tables, enjoy a Sandringham-bred turkey lunch and pull crackers. 

It’s the first time the royals have gathered for the traditional celebration since before the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Family day out! Mike and Zara Tindall were joined by their children at the event today

Family day out! Mike and Zara Tindall were joined by their children at the event today

The Queen Consort looked serene as she was driven to Windsor Castle for a festive lunch with the King and other members of the Royal Family

The Queen Consort looked serene as she was driven to Windsor Castle for a festive lunch with the King and other members of the Royal Family

The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits ahead of the festive lunch at Windsor Castle this afternoon, which is the first of it's kind in a number of years

The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits ahead of the festive lunch at Windsor Castle this afternoon, which is the first of it's kind in a number of years

The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits ahead of the festive lunch at Windsor Castle this afternoon, which is the first of it’s kind in a number of years 

Queen Consort Camilla was all smiles as she left Windsor Castle after the festive lunch

Queen Consort Camilla was all smiles as she left Windsor Castle after the festive lunch

According to The Telegraph, the Duke of York is expected to be among the attendees at the event.  

Last year, the late Queen had planned to welcome 50 family members to Windsor Castle where she was living at the time, but cancelled due to fears over the Omnicron Covid variant. 

The lunch was also called off in December 2020 when London was in lockdown and people were urged not to travel around the country due to the pandemic. 

Last week, a number of senior royals came together for Kate’s Together At Christmas carol service, which took place at Westminster Abbey.

Meanwhile, King Charles was the first member of the Royal Family to arrive for the festive occasion today

Meanwhile, King Charles was the first member of the Royal Family to arrive for the festive occasion today 

The lunch, which will see  a number of royals brought together, is a regular tradition for The Firm. However, today it is being hosted for the first time by King Charles

The lunch, which will see  a number of royals brought together, is a regular tradition for The Firm. However, today it is being hosted for the first time by King Charles 

Beaming! Sophie couldn't help but smile when pictured leaving the Christmas dinner

Beaming! Sophie couldn’t help but smile when pictured leaving the Christmas dinner

Body language expert Judi James said the Royal Family projected ‘bonding and unity’ as they gathered for the carol service after Harry and Meghan’s latest attacks.

Ms James said the Princess of Wales’s ‘warm smile of pride’ as she watched her children exchange kisses with the monarch ‘show everything we need to know about family unity’.

She said further clues came from ‘extra, add-on touches’ including ‘lingering smiles and eye contact’.

There were audible cheers from members of the public who shouted ‘we love you’ to William and Kate as they stood in the cold to greet the future king and queen outside the Abbey. 

The tradition today is one of the rare times all the monarch's extended family meet, and is a chance for the King to celebrate with those who do not receive an invitation to spend Christmas in Norfolk with the senior royals. Pictured, Princess Anne and Tim Laurence

The tradition today is one of the rare times all the monarch’s extended family meet, and is a chance for the King to celebrate with those who do not receive an invitation to spend Christmas in Norfolk with the senior royals. Pictured, Princess Anne and Tim Laurence

The family are seated at round tables, enjoy a Sandringham-bred turkey lunch and pull crackers. Pictured, the Earl of Wessex

The family are seated at round tables, enjoy a Sandringham-bred turkey lunch and pull crackers. Pictured, the Earl of Wessex 

Tim Laurence drove his wife Princess Anne (pictured together) to today's royal event at Windsor Castle

Tim Laurence drove his wife Princess Anne (pictured together) to today’s royal event at Windsor Castle

Last year, the late Queen had planned to welcome 50 family members to Windsor Castle where she was then residing, but cancelled due to fears over the Omnicron variant. Pictured, Prince Edward driving to Windsor Castle

Last year, the late Queen had planned to welcome 50 family members to Windsor Castle where she was then residing, but cancelled due to fears over the Omnicron variant. Pictured, Prince Edward driving to Windsor Castle

Poignantly, William read a passage from the late Queen’s 2012 Christmas message in which Her late Majesty said she was ‘always struck by the spirit of togetherness’ at Christmas.

It was a time, she had added, ‘when we remember that God sent his only son to serve, not to be served’.

Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have said they will not comment on Harry and Meghan’s claims – with the King said to be determined never to watch the six-part series.

Today’s gathering comes after it was confirmed that the King, Queen Consort and members of the Royal Family will spend Christmas at Sandringham for the first time in three years.

It comes as snaps were released showing the Princess of Wales planting a tree in memory of the Queen last week

It comes as snaps were released showing the Princess of Wales planting a tree in memory of the Queen last week 

Charles and Camilla will celebrate Christmas Day at the Norfolk Estate with family members, marking a return to traditional royal festivities.

The gathering at Sandringham will be the first time the Royal Family has spent Christmas at the private royal residence since 2019, and it will be a poignant period following the death of the Queen in September.

Buckingham Palace said in a brief statement: ‘Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort accompanied by Members of the Royal Family will attend the Morning Service on Christmas Day at Sandringham Church, on Sunday 25th December 2022.’ 

It is likely Charles and Camilla will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Princess Royal and her family, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children – but it remains to be seen if the Duke of York will make a public appearance.

Questions also remain over Harry and Meghan, who are said to be frozen out of Charles’s first Christmas dinner at Sandringham as monarch – after their Netflix series launched an unprecedented attack on the Royal Family, accusing the King of ‘lying’ and the Prince of Wales of ‘screaming’ at his brother.

Christmas at Sandringham follows a break, when, due to the Covid pandemic, the late Queen spent the festive period at Windsor Castle two years in a row – the first with the Duke of Edinburgh, separated from her wider family in lockdown.

Royal Christmases feature a morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church, the greeting of well-wishers, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.

Read more: 

New book reveals Queen’s stoicism in final months: Intimate portrait tells how she found comfort after Philip’s death watching Line of Duty and how she dealt with revelations about Andrew 

Royals rally around Kate: King Charles and Queen Consort will attend Princess of Wales’ carol service on day the second part of Harry and Meghan’s bombshell show is released 

I’m sure there will be someone out there for Reggie’: Queen Consort appeals for a home for a ‘pensioner’ pet in special episode of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs 

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