Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, appeared in high spirits on Tuesday as they arrived at Buckingham Palace with their three children for the royal family’s traditional pre Christmas lunch. William was spotted driving through the palace gates with Kate seated beside him, while Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis sat in the back. The family looked relaxed and cheerful as they headed inside for the annual gathering hosted by King Charles.
The pre Christmas lunch is a long standing royal tradition that brings together both senior and extended members of the family ahead of the holidays. While the main Christmas celebrations take place at Sandringham on December 25, this London based event allows relatives who may not travel to Norfolk to still take part in a festive get together.
A full royal turnout
This year’s lunch saw an especially strong turnout. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie arrived together, marking their first public appearance with the wider family since they missed the Princess of Wales’ Christmas carol service earlier this month. Their arrival quickly caught the attention of royal watchers.
Also seen entering the palace were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, accompanied by their daughter Lady Louise Windsor. Princess Anne attended with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, while the Duke of Kent, a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also among the guests.
Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, has previously shared insight into how large these gatherings can be. Speaking on a podcast in 2019, he revealed that around 70 family members attend, spread across several tables, with the children seated separately in another room. He described the atmosphere as warm and enjoyable, offering a rare glimpse into the more relaxed side of royal life.
Louis and Charlotte steal attention
Kate looked polished yet festive for the occasion, wearing a red patterned blouse paired with dangling earrings, her hair pulled back neatly. William and Prince George both wore suits, while seven year old Prince Louis opted for a striped jumper layered over a blue shirt. Princess Charlotte wore a dark red velvet outfit that many fans immediately praised.
Social media reactions quickly followed photos of the family arriving. Several fans were amused by Louis’ facial expression as he was seen pouting at photographers from inside the car. Others commented on Charlotte’s growing resemblance to royal relatives, with many comparing her to both her late great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and her grandmother Princess Diana.
After the lunch concluded, William was again seen driving the family away. This time, Charlotte sat in the front passenger seat, appearing confident and composed. Their long time nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, was spotted seated in the back.
The royal family is expected to travel to Sandringham next week for the official Christmas celebrations. Last year, William and Kate skipped the palace lunch, reportedly choosing to head to Norfolk early to spend extra time with their children once school had finished.
