Royal Family's biggest-ever Christmas will have new focus with special plan for Kate Middleton
The Royal Family look set for their biggest Christmas in many years after The Prince of Wales revealed there will be 45 members of the family present for the festivities. And, while everyone will gather around and celebrate, a leading royal expert is clear that there will be an extra wish to unite around the King and the Princess of Wales.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK!: "After the year they’ve had, I’m sure it’s going to mean the world to the King and Queen to have as many of their family as possible joining them for Christmas. And, as the number of youngsters increases, so the celebrations become more and more child oriented. Which is exactly what Christmas should be all about."
Asked about who will stay where and how much the Prince and Princess of Wales will value having their beloved Anmer Hall to retreat to for some extra special family time, Jennie adds: "If Catherine’s parents are there, they will certainly stay at Anmer Hall. I’m not sure Catherine would yet feel up to hosting a huge crowd at the Hall, so I imagine it would just be close family. The Yorks would be at Wood Farm.
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"But whoever stays where, I’m sure this will be a Christmas when the whole family will want to unite around Charles and Camilla, and William and Catherine, to help put this year behind them and cheer them into a brighter year ahead."
Jennie's comments come after Prince William attended a seasonal event at in Wiltshire for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief. While there, William said he and Kate were looking forward to the festivities and revealed that there will be 45 members of the family enjoying the festivities at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk this year.
“We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We'll be 45 for Christmas. It won't be quiet, it will be noisy,” he said during the outing. Joking about not being prepared for the holidays, the Prince told one family: "Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready."
Elsewhere it was revealed that he was asking the youngsters what they wanted for Christmas with Sgt Murray saying William "asked what my children wanted for Christmas. He said he is not organised himself."
Leah St Clair-Lewis also shared that William spoke about “what he was up to for Christmas and enjoying walks with his dogs at Sandringham.
"He said there will be 45 of them under one roof for Christmas,” she added. "He didn't say whether that was just for one day or over the Christmas period. They must need a very long table."
While Harry and Meghan will likely be spending the Christmas period in the sun, the rest of the Royal Family will return to Norfolk and enjoy many classic traditions which have been shaped by the generations who have come before them.
Speaking before Queen Elizabeth II's death, royal expert Robert Jobson mused: “On Christmas Eve when all the clan are together, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren put the finishing touches to the 20ft Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room.
"Presents will be opened that day at tea time as the royals still keep to the German practice of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. Gifts are laid out in the Red Drawing Room on a white linen-covered trestle table, with cards marking exactly where the piles of gifts should be put.
"Once everyone has arrived, the royal guests enjoy a traditional Christmas that includes putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree and the giving of cheap and humorous gifts."
