The Royals are just like any other family during the holidays, preparing for the busy months ahead. Hello, dear viewers, and welcome back to our channel. While the holiday season is typically joyful, the abundance of plans and family gatherings can also bring stress and chaos. For King Charles, as the head of a blended family with his wife, Queen Camilla, this festive season may be a bit more hectic than usual.
Once again, the King has found himself at the center of controversy after another decision sparked public backlash just before Christmas. His country estate in Gloucestershire has been slammed for charging steep prices for holiday treats. As the festive season draws near, the King’s Highgrove House is offering a box of six Royal Christmas crackers for a staggering £65, containing just garden twine and 12 mini pine cones. Additionally, the Highgrove Royal Christmas hamper is on sale for a budget-busting £300. The exorbitant prices were revealed following a poor public response to an offer for free portraits of the King to replace those of the late Queen Elizabeth.
Republic CEO Graham Smith criticized the spending, stating, "Spending almost £3 million on pictures of Charles, when school children are going hungry, is an appalling waste of money." The offer to replace the Queen's portraits was met with disappointing turnout. A report revealed that less than 3% of hospitals and just 83% of government departments and local authorities in England applied for the offer. Even fewer bodies in Wales, only 16%, showed interest, while only 35 of the UK’s 475 universities (8%) requested one. Smith added that anyone wanting a picture of the King could easily print one themselves, without needing to spend millions on what he called "nonsense."
After a year of health struggles, King Charles and the Princess of Wales are looking forward to some much-needed rest, surrounded by their loved ones at the family estate. Each year, members of the royal family are invited to the Grade II-listed home for Christmas celebrations, which include a family dinner and an afternoon of exchanging gifts. Prince William and Princess Catherine will travel with their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—to the late Queen Elizabeth's country estate in Norfolk on Christmas Eve. The King typically arrives on Christmas Eve as well, though it is believed he may arrive a day earlier this year.
The Welles family will likely be at Sandringham on Christmas Eve if they aren’t already there. Despite Catherine's currently lighter schedule of engagements, this year’s celebrations are expected to be very family-oriented, much like those in the past. Queen Elizabeth, who cherished her time with family, especially before her last Christmas with Prince Philip in 2020, once said, "One of the great joys of living a long life is watching one’s children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren help decorate the Christmas tree."
With so many royal grandchildren in the mix, Christmas at Sandringham is sure to be lively, especially with extended family members like Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice bringing their own families. Throw in the Tindalls' three children and Beatrice and Eugenie’s kids, and it’s bound to be chaos—specifically a Christmas dominated by children. Despite the potential stress of hosting family during the holidays, a busy holiday season is just what King Charles needs. For Princess Kate, too, children provide healing and a welcome distraction.
Meanwhile, the Sussexes have yet to receive an invitation to Sandringham for the sixth consecutive year and will reportedly spend Christmas with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. However, invitations have reportedly been sent out for a virtual Christmas party that Harry will host in early December. With his ties to the royal family growing more distant, the Duke will continue to support causes close to his heart. It's understood that the Welles family will reach out to the Sussexes and wish them a Merry Christmas.
