Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022.Photo:UK Press Pool/UK Press/Getty
UK Press Pool/UK Press/Getty
King CharlesandQueen Camillawill lead the charge on Christmas again this year.
Queen Camilla and King Charles attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The royals are known toexchange giftson Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, continuing a German custom that Queen Victoria’s Bavarian-born husband, Prince Albert, introduced in the mid-19th century. The family is also known to swapsilly presentsinstead of expensive gifts.Kate Middletonreportedly once gave brother-in-lawPrince Harrya plastic Grow Your Own Girlfriend kit — before he met his wife,Meghan Markle!
King Charles' 2022 Christmas broadcast.Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty
“I amstanding herein this exquisite Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, The late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family,” the King said, referring to his mother’s death at age 96 three months prior.
Illuminating what was on his mind as a modern monarch, King Charles praised the critical community work of “churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras.” He also acknowledged the “great anxiety and hardship” that people face today, “be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm.”
Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton during the Royal Carols - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty
Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty
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In years past, Camilla would leave the royal family’s Christmas gathering in the afternoon to spend time with her son Tom Parker Bowles, daughter Laura Lopes and five grandkids on the holiday. Now that she helps host the holiday with King Charles, however, the time might be right to bring her family further into the royal fold.
Prince Harry and Meghan are not expected to step out for Christmas at Sandringham, as they remain based in her home state of California with their children,Prince Archie, 4, andPrincess Lilibet, 2. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent Christmas with the royal family in 2018 and welcomed Archie in May 2019.
The following year, the family of threespent the holiday privatelywith Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, after announcing they were taking a brief break in Canada for “family time.” In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from their royal roles.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
source: people.com
