Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will not be joining the British royal family's traditional Christmas celebration at Sandringham this year, marking a significant departure from a cherished annual tradition. The two daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, have instead chosen to spend the holiday with their respective in-laws, a move that coincides with their parents also stepping away from the festivities at King Charles III's estate.
This year's Christmas gathering at Sandringham is set to bring together key members of the royal family, including Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children, continuing a decades-long tradition. However, the absence of Beatrice and Eugenie underscores the evolving dynamics within the royal family. Both princesses, who have attended nearly every Sandringham Christmas celebration since childhood, will instead be celebrating milestones of their own as they spend the holiday with their husbands' families for the first time.
Beatrice, who married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, is currently expecting the couple's second child in the new year. The pair are parents to Sienna, 3, and Wolfie, 8, Edoardo's son from a previous relationship. Eugenie, married to Jack Brooksbank since 2018, has two young sons, August, 3, and Ernest, 1. Their decision to forgo the Sandringham gathering reflects a shift in priorities as they embrace traditions with their in-laws.
For their parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the choice to stay at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate represents another departure from tradition. The couple had participated in last year's Sandringham festivities, even joining the royal family's Christmas Day walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church.
However, recent reports suggest that Ferguson encouraged Andrew to step back from the event this year in light of ongoing scrutiny over his alleged ties to a suspected Chinese spy. This decision also aligns with the absence of their daughters, who had finalized their holiday plans months ago.
"The decision for the pair to stay put at the Royal Lodge is thought to have been made easier by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's plans to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws," reported The Independent. While the York family will celebrate separately, their absence from Sandringham highlights the growing emphasis on forging new traditions outside the royal fold.
The royal family's Christmas gathering remains a focal point of public interest, particularly amid ongoing tensions between King Charles and Prince Harry. Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are also not expected to attend. The couple has not spent Christmas at Sandringham since 2018 and continues to navigate strained relationships with the royal family. This year, they released a festive holiday card featuring candid moments with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, along with warm wishes for the season.
