The British Royal Family’s Christmas Traditions and the Growing Tensions Behind Closed Doors

As Christmas 2024 approaches, the British royal family is once again at the center of the holiday spotlight, where the enduring legacy of tradition is matched by hidden tensions and power dynamics that shape the family’s public and private lives.

Christmas is far from just a festive gathering for the royals; it is a finely choreographed event, steeped in centuries of tradition and often a battleground for influence and family hierarchy.

The 76-year-old monarch, King Charles, was seen outside his royal residence on Thursday afternoon with his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, following the news of the Wales family’s absence.

While there has been speculation about tension within the family, one former courtier suggested that King Charles may not have had the strength or will to insist on William and Catherine’s attendance. The same source compared this situation with the days when Prince Philip was alive, stating, “You can’t imagine anyone missing it when Prince Philip was around.”

Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie—daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson—added a surprising twist to the event by making a high-profile appearance at the pre-Christmas lunch. The sisters arrived with their families in separate cars, signaling their decision to attend the event despite the ongoing family controversies. The two princesses are also expected to spend Christmas Day with their respective in-laws, marking a break from the royal tradition of spending the entire holiday together at Sandringham.