Why Do George, Charlotte, and Louis Get Two Christmases? There's a Surprising Reason For It
Prince and Princess of Wales have also created a special tradition of their own - one that means a double celebration for their children.
The festive warmth is gradually settling in, and even the royals are preparing to celebrate the holidays with their family and loved ones. While the Royal Family will once again follow their long-standing tradition of gathering at King Charles’s Sandringham estate for Christmas Day, the Prince and Princess of Wales have also created a special tradition of their own - one that means a double celebration for their children. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis don’t celebrate Christmas just once, but twice. So, what’s the cherished family custom behind it?
While the royal Christmas at Sandringham is a well-known affair, hosted by Charles and attended by the wider family, the second celebration is far more private and less talked about. George, Charlotte, and Louis share a close and affectionate bond with their grandparents on both sides, who dote on them endlessly. After the formal royal festivities, the Wales children spend time with Princess Kate’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, for a second round of Christmas celebrations. The Middletons join the Wales family at Amner Hall, where the open-plan kitchen and dining area offer a warm, welcoming space.
Talking to Vanity Fair royal expert, Ingrid Seward, shared, "The King loves bringing everyone together, and it’s a proper family Christmas. There’s a fair bit of juggling involved, particularly for the Wales family. I expect William, Kate, and the children will be at Sandringham for the Christmas Day service alongside Charles because that’s an important show of togetherness." Following their visit to the church, Kate and William go back to Anmer on Christmas Day to spend time with the Middleton family.
"In previous years, they have gone back to Anmer after church on Christmas Day for lunch with Kate’s family so they get two Christmases," explained the expert. Shedding light on the same, former Royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, revealed that the celebration at Amner Hall is more relaxed. "They are lucky because they have their own home close to Sandringham so they’ve always been able to wake up there, do stockings and presents, and then go over to the big house for the more formal celebrations," she delineated.
Christmas celebration at Sandringham used to be a nightmare, as reported by Vanity Fair. "It used to be a nightmare going to Sandringham because there used to be so many outfit changes, sometimes up to six a day. But the king has relaxed that. There won’t be so many changes, but everyone will wear black tie at Christmas dinner," added an insider. Although things have now changed for the better, William and Kate prefer to stay at Amner Hall when they’re in Sandringham.
This allows them to get the best of both worlds and celebrate festivities with a wider family circle. This year's Christmas may be a turning point for several reasons. For the first time, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife will not be a part, and according to sources, the King might finally connect with his youngest, Prince Harry, over the holidays to start a new chapter, leaving all bitterness behind.
