THE small George, Charlotte and Louisthey have no choice. They will not be able to spend Christmas in their new home in Forest Lodgethe Windsor residence where they moved together with William and Kate last October. As heirs to the throne, the Princes of Wales are obliged to spend at least part of the holidays with King Charles at Sandringham, as is tradition for the Royal Family. And the Middleton grandparents?
George, Charlotte and Louis’ double Christmas
William and Kate have found the perfect solution: George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7, will celebrate Christmas twice. After spending a few hours with Carlo, accompanying him in the traditional morning walk to Sandringham church and having lunch with him in the Royal residence, the little ones will return with mum and dad to the nearby Anmer Hall, the Wales country residence, to celebrate again, but without formality, with their Middleton grandparents.
Two different ways to celebrate Christmas
Carlo’s Christmas is planned down to the last second, with breakfasts, lunches, cocktails, opening gifts, chat in the drawing room and walks through the woods, all organized with military precision. The little princes cannot play as they would like, they must never bother adults and above all they have the obligation to respect all timetables to the letter. And although since last year Carlo has decided to reduce the number of changes of clothes (up to six during the day) to allow all its guests to relax, even the children must always change and dress elegantly.
Kate Middleton with Louis and Charlotte at Sandringham, 25 December 2024 (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
At Anmer Hall, the situation is reversed
Already in the morning, before joining the king in church at Sandringham, George, Charlotte and Louis can wake up in their bedrooms, open their presents and Santa’s stockings prepared every year by grandmother, Carole Middleton, who, unlike Carlo, allows her grandchildren to put up the Christmas tree with her. The little ones can finally enjoy the gifts they requested.
The Christmas tree in Windsor, December 2025 (Getty Images)
At Sandringham, gifts are strictly opened on Christmas Eve with one fundamental rule: gifts must be fun, but they must not exceed a cost of £5 each (around 7 euros). What a disappointment for little ones who will surely want to get the most popular toys at the moment!
George, Charlotte and Louis’ Christmas in pajamas
Back home after the rigorous Christmas lunch at Sandringham, the little ones quickly change and, between tracksuits and pajamas, they can celebrate without limits. Thanks to the grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton, who bring their gifts, homemade desserts and games to improvise in the spacious kitchen which, wanted by Kate, now also serves as a dining room and games room. They are also joined by aunt Pippa and uncle James with their respective families and many cousins, for a truly chaotic Christmas in an extended family and, ultimately, like many others.