With King Charles now in charge of the Christmas celebrations for the British royal family, some things are bound to change.
But much like everything to do with the Windsors, there is still a lot of history and tradition involved in the festivities too.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about Christmas with the royal family in 2024.
Where do Prince William and Kate spend Christmas?
The Princess of Wales made one of her few public appearances for 2024 while joining the British royal family for their walk to church on Christmas day.
Kate strolled beside husband, Prince WIlliam, and their three kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and 6-year-old Prince Louis.
The family walked behind King Charles and Queen Camilla on their way to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
However it was Kate, who looked festive in a green McQueen coat, tartan scarf and velvet beret with a bow who stole the show.
The crowd who’d gathered to watch the procession were delighted to see the princess following a year when her cancer diagnosis kept her largely out of the spotlight.
Kate appeared more than happy to greet the wellwishers as she spoke with several members of the public, collecting flowers along the way.
The Prince and Princess of Wales earlier travelled from their home in Windsor to Norfolk for the holidays, where they headed shortly after Kate’s Together at Christmas Carols service was filmed.
They are staying at their country estate Amner Hall.
Their rural home is located on the King’s Sandringham Estate so they can join his father for the celebrations.
“We’ll be 45 for Christmas,” William revealed on an engagement earlier in December. “It won’t be quiet, it will be noisy.”
In the lead up to the big day, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared their 2024 Christmas card online on December 19.
It includes a sweet photo family that was included in the video announcement Kate shared to reveal she had completed chemotherapy treatment in September.
“Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year,” read a message in the card, which was shared in a video to the couple’s social channels.
What does the royal family do at Christmas?
It has been the tradition for the Windsors to spend Christmas at Sandringham since 1988, except for a few years after it was cancelled due to Covid.
The extended family – excluding Prince Andrew and his daughter Princess Eugenie – will arrive at the Estate by Christmas Eve,
It was previously announced that Princess Beatrice would head abroad but she as a last minute inclusion upon doctors advice that she not fly due to her pregnancy.
Gifts are also exchanged the day before Christmas in a nod to the Windsor’s German heritage.
Presents are expected to be simple or funny, rather than extravagant.
The Princess of Wales gifted the late Queen Elizabeth some homemade chutney her first year.
“I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table,” Kate explained in a documentary made for the Queen’s 90th birthday.
“I think such a simple gesture went such a long way for me.”
That evening there is a black tie dinner where tiara can be worn.
Everyone will wake up to a stocking on Christmas morning, including the big kids.
“As adults, we still have stockings on Christmas Day,” Zara Tindall recently revealed.
The royals will then rug up to make their annual walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
After the service, they will greet members of the public who have come to see them before returning to the Castle for lunch.
Did Harry and Meghan have a Christmas card?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a rare photo of their two children on their Christmas card.
“We wish you a very happy holiday season,” it reads along with six images including the family snap.
Prince Archie, 5, and 3-year-old Princess Lilibet, 3, are seen from the back greeting their mum and dad as they come home for a working trip.
Prince Harry and his family are believed to be spending Christmas at their home in Montecito in 2024.
Amid their estrangement from the royal family, it was widely reported that they failed to receive an invitation to Sandringham.
It is likely that Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, will join them for the holidays.
“Like any other family you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar—fun.” Meghan recently told US Marie Claire of their plans.
