A festive season in upheaval

Christmas has never been like this for the royals!

William and Kate have traveled to Anmer Hall earlier this year, and Kate is reportedly planning a Christmas social media offensive.(Bild: AP/Jonathan Bradyvia/PA)

This year's Christmas for the British royal family promises to be a mixture of tradition and turbulence. While King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting the festivities at Sandringham as usual, a number of absences and new additions are causing a stir.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will not be attending the festivities this year either. Instead, they will be celebrating with their children Archie and Lilibet in the USA. The reasons for their absence are not officially known, but it is suspected that tensions within the family are playing a role.

William and Kate at Anmer Hall
The heir to the throne and his family are also withdrawing. William and Kate have traveled to their country estate Anmer Hall earlier than usual with their children and did not attend the traditional Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace before Christmas. After a challenging year in which Princess Kate battled cancer, they apparently want to have a more personal Christmas, although Christmas Eve will of course be spent with the King at the palace and it is expected that the couple will be seen with the children attending church at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

Interestingly, Kate is reportedly planning to share some moments of the festivities on social media - which would be an unusual move for the usually discreet royals.

William and Kate traveled to Anmer Hall earlier this year, and Kate is reportedly planning a Christmas social media offensive.(Bild: AP/Jonathan Bradyvia/PA)

Prince Andrew ruled out
Prince Andrew will not be attending the festivities this year. This is due to renewed controversy surrounding his links to a Chinese citizen who is suspected of espionage. His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are also absent and will be spending the festivities with their in-laws.

New faces at the celebrations
For the first time, Tom Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla's son, will be attending the festivities at Sandringham. His presence marks a change in traditions, which are increasingly being shaped by modern influences and new family constellations.

However, one thing has not changed. The number of guests is high. According to a statement from Prince William shortly before Christmas, around 45 people will celebrate the festival of love and contemplation with the King.