King Charles III welcomed senior and extended members of the Royal Family to Buckingham Palace for the annual pre-Christmas lunch, a festive tradition held a week before the big day. However, the gathering of around 70 relatives was marked by the conspicuous absence of four notable royals.
Who Attended the Festive Gathering?
The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, arrived with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They were joined by a host of other family members, including Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, and the Duke of Kent.
Photographs from the event also captured Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in attendance. Eugenie added a festive touch with a pair of candy cane earrings and was later pictured sharing a car with her husband, Jack Brooksbank.
The Notable Absences Explained
The most prominent figures missing from the lunch were the King's brother, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Instead of joining the family, Andrew was reportedly seen riding on horseback in the rain. His absence follows the recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police that they would take no further action regarding allegations he asked a police protection officer to gather information on his accuser, Virginia Giuffre. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Also absent were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple are believed to be spending their time in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. This comes amid news that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, recently underwent life-saving surgery in the Philippines and has expressed a desire not to die estranged from his daughter.
Context and Family Dynamics
The pre-Christmas lunch is a significant event in the royal calendar, offering a chance for wider family members to connect before the more intimate celebrations at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The absences highlight the ongoing shifts and complexities within the modern monarchy.
While Beatrice and Eugenie, who were also absent from the Princess of Wales's carol concert earlier in December, rejoined the family for this event, the non-attendance of Andrew, Fergie, Harry, and Meghan underscores the varied paths and challenges facing different branches of the Royal Family as they navigate public life and personal circumstances.
