CThere were almost all the Royals at the pre-holiday lunch organized yesterday by King Charles III in the halls of Windsor Castle. About seventy guests, from William and Kate to their uncles Anna, Andrea and Edoardo, up to second and third cousins such as Prince Michael of Kent, arrived punctually at the gates of the historic manor and then took their seats at the tables in a room decorated with Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. Harry and Meghan were also largely excluded on this occasion, as they were not even invited to the celebrations at Sandringham.
Turkey and “mince pies” for the guests of King Charles III
At the table for the festive lunch the typical British Christmas menu, or the usual turkey with side dishes of potatoes and vegetables. And finally a dessert based on mince piesthe classic Christmas shortcrust pastry cakefilled with spices and candied fruit, served hot with brandy butter.
Between one course and another, everyone, including Carlo and Camilla, ends up putting on their heads the paper crowns enclosed in Christmas Crackersthe colored cardboard tubes placed next to the plates as a Christmas decoration and to be broken for fun by pulling the ends together with your neighbor.
Queen Elizabeth’s rules are still in force
Carlo wanted to respect the rules imposed over the years by his mother Elisabetta: the event is strictly behind closed doors, cell phones must be left in special trays at the entrance, and being far too many guests are forbidden to bring gifts. For the occasion the queen he also limited his alcohol consumption. It’s fine to indulge in a few drinks at court – the Queen herself indulged in a glass or two of champagne. But the Royals have to be careful not to get drunk. Or you risk being kicked out.
The changes of King Charles III
For her pre-Christmas lunch, Elizabeth II preferred to host her relatives, including distant ones, at Buckingham Palace, and then disappear taking a train from London to King’s Lynn, the nearest station to Sandringham. For the second consecutive year Carlo has opted for Windsor instead, where he prefers to organize more informal events. Having said goodbye to the guests, in the afternoon he then left together with Camilla for the Christmas residence in Norfolk. But instead of taking the train he traveled in one of his Bentley with chauffeur.
Charles and Camilla with George and William at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year (Getty Images)
Lady Louise Windsor, the true protagonist of the event
Lady Louise Windsor’s arrival at the castle is highly anticipated, in the company of her parents Edoardo and Sophie. The girl, 20 years old, is rarely seen at court and spends almost all her time at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland. However, the British media point to her as a future one working Royal, able to take the place of Carlo and William, who respect her very much. But she, what she could rightfully be a princesshe is still thinking about it and will decide after graduation.
King Charles III sends George eating with his cousins
Many children were present this year at King Charles’ pre-holiday lunch. In addition to George, Charlotte and Louis, there were also dozens of cousins, such as Savannah and Isla, daughters of Peter Phillips (Princess Anne’s firstborn); and Mia, Lena and Lucas, the offspring of sister Zara Tindall. But Royal puppets are not allowed to eat meals with senior Royals. The adults don’t want to be disturbed, so they relegate the little ones to an adjoining room, complete with babysitters, maids and valets at their service.
The tribute to Prince Philip
Philip wasn’t a fan of the Royals’ pre-Christmas lunch. Known for the antipathy he felt towards distant relatives, every year he patiently participated, alongside his wife Elizabeth II. Yesterday, a detail immediately made the prince’s presence felt at the event: the historic license plate of Filippo’s carwho had used it on his vehicles since 1954, reappeared on the car driven by his youngest son Edward, the new Duke of Edinburgh.
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