At the top of the guest list are the Prince and Princess of Wales, as the future King and Queen, along with their three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.

Who Will Be Joining the King and Queen

Prince William’s cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are also expected to attend with their families. Beatrice will likely arrive alongside her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their two daughters, Sienna, four, and Athena, just 11 months old. Eugenie is expected with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their sons, August, four, and Ernest, one.

This year marks the first Christmas the sisters will celebrate without their parents. Their father, formerly known as Prince Andrew, and their mother, Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, recently had their royal titles removed following damaging revelations linked to their respective connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew is also the only sibling of the King who has been excluded from the Sandringham gathering.

King Charles’ youngest brother, Prince Edward, is expected to attend with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and their children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, will also join the festivities with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Her daughter Zara Tindall is set to attend with her rugby star husband Mike Tindall and their three children, although it remains unclear whether Zara’s brother, Peter Phillips, will be present.

Strict Traditions Behind Closed Doors

It’s not just the guest list that has sparked curiosity among royal fans this year, but also the tightly structured schedule that defines Christmas Day at Sandringham. Royal expert and author Robert Jobson shared details with HELLO! this week, explaining that the celebration is far more formal and regulated than many people might expect.

While the day is undoubtedly joyful, Jobson suggested it bears little resemblance to a relaxed, alcohol-fuelled family gathering.

“There’s an unspoken rule for guests: do not arrive late,” Jobson explained. “There is no grace period.”

He went on to reveal a lesser-known detail about the royal morning routine, saying: “What many do not realise is that the King and his family will have been to church once already that morning for a private service, away from the cameras and onlookers.”

Following a second, public-facing service at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, the royals take part in what Jobson described as an unusual tradition dating back to Edward VIII: being weighed on antique jockey’s scales.

A Timed Day From Start to Finish

Once the ceremonial obligations are complete, the royal timetable continues without pause.

“They change for a formal lunch, served by royal staff in the dining room,” Jobson said.

After lunch, most of the family head out for an afternoon walk, one of the few moments when the schedule eases slightly. Even then, timing remains strict.

“But even then, they are on a timer. By 5pm, everyone must be back for afternoon tea,” he added.

Christmas Dinner and Festive Traditions

As evening arrives, guests gather for Christmas dinner, which is specially prepared by royal warrant holder Tom Smith. The family sits down to enjoy a traditional roast with all the festive trimmings, complete with luxury Christmas crackers.

“Everyone, even the King, wears paper hats from inside the crackers,” Jobson revealed.

Despite the rigid structure, the day still carries plenty of festive charm—albeit delivered with military precision and long-standing royal protocol.