It has already been confirmed that the King’s youngest son, Prince Harry — who stepped back from royal duties and left the UK in 2020 — will remain in the United States with his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple will celebrate the holiday with their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.
Prince Andrew Kept Away From Sandringham
Royal insiders have also indicated that the man formerly known as Prince Andrew will not be welcomed to Sandringham this festive season. His absence follows the recent removal of his military titles, royal status, and his residence at Royal Lodge.
The decision was reportedly taken by his brother, King Charles III, amid renewed scrutiny over Andrew’s past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These allegations were again referenced in a posthumously released memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Andrew’s ex-wife, with whom he has lived at Royal Lodge since 2004, is also believed to be excluded from the Christmas gathering. This follows revelations that she sent emails to Epstein in 2011 describing him as a “supreme friend” and “dear friend”.
Camilla’s Children Spending Christmas Elsewhere
Another notable absence will be Tom Parker-Bowles, Queen Camilla’s son from her first marriage and the stepbrother of Princes William and Harry.
By his own admission, Tom will spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife, Sara, and their two teenage children, Lola and Freddy.
It is not just Camilla’s son who will be missing from the Sandringham table this year, but also her daughter, Laura Lopes.
“I’m not [spending Christmas at Sandringham]. Nor is my sister,” Tom told the Daily Mail this week, offering insight into how their blended family divides the festive season.
“It’ll be every other year, one year on, one year off.”
He added jokingly: “It’s back to the sofa at my ex-wife’s.”
A Rare Christmas at Sandringham
Tom also reflected on last year’s celebrations, revealing that he joined his mother and stepfather at Sandringham for the first time in many years. It marked his first Christmas there since King Charles announced his cancer diagnosis.
“My mum said, ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time,’” he recalled.
He went on to admit that he knows little about royal Christmas traditions beyond the basics. “I genuinely know nothing about [how they spend it, beyond knowing] there’s turkey and sprouts and church — and I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket.”
An Amicable Family Arrangement
Speaking previously about his close relationship with his ex-wife, Tom has credited his parents for setting a positive example. Queen Camilla and Andrew Parker-Bowles have remained on good terms since their divorce in 1995.
“My mother and father are still great friends, and we will go down [to his] on December 27 and my mother will sometimes come,” Tom told PEOPLE. “It is something to work towards.
“It’s a maturity that is a great thing if — despite a marriage sometimes not working — you can keep it together for the sake of the children and the sake of each other, then it’s a very good thing.”
