William and Kate May Drop a Cherished Holiday Tradition This Year — and a Family Milestone May Be Why
Prince William and Kate Middleton will stay in the UK during the holidays for two reasons.
It has been a year of transition for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Amongst the many positive changes, the couple will also have to make some undesired adjustments. This year, they were reportedly “forced to cancel” their annual vacation for two main reasons.
William and Middleton have a “standing invitation to spend their family holidays at a spectacular seaside palace belonging to Jordan's King Abdullah II,” according to the Mail on Sunday. A source said, “In Jordan, there's always chatter around this time of year that the Prince and Princess of Wales will come to stay. They are considered regulars here in Jordan.” However, reports say the pair may have decided to stay in the UK, where they will welcome Prince George back from Eton College. This will be his first holiday season since starting secondary school.
However, beyond hosting a warm welcome for their son, the couple’s decision not to travel to Jordan this year may reflect ongoing global tensions. “They can hardly come here for water sports and jet skiing when there is the threat of...missiles. It can't be a coincidence if an autumn return to Jordan wasn't on their radar this year,” the source added. They believed that the “growing threat posed by missiles and drones in the wider Middle East will have made the family's holiday arrangements there too risky to consider this year”.
The Princess of Wales shares a special connection with Jordan, as she lived there for a few years during her childhood. According to reports, she and the Prince of Wales have made several trips there as “guests of (King Abdullah) and Queen Rania”. They have reportedly traveled as a couple with their three children, as well as with the princess’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton. A source mentioned, “I bet William and Kate are incredibly sad not to be going this year."
While the Waleses may not have a Jordanian vacation on the cards this year, they'll look forward to spending the holidays in the UK and will no doubt make it a special celebration for their kids. However, before the holiday season starts, William and possibly Middleton will attend the sixth Earthshot Prize ceremony in Mumbai, India. While the princess’s appearance is still not confirmed, if she joins her husband, it will mark the couple’s first trip to the country in ten years. The last time, the two popular royals traveled to India in 2016 for a tour.
The couple has been busy in the past few months undertaking important engagements. Last month, they played key roles in the Sultan of Oman’s historic state visit to the UK.
