Prince and Princess of Wales Absent from King Charles III’s Christmas Lunch

The absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George IX, Princess Charlotte VIII, and four-year-old Prince Louis at King Charles III's and Queen Consul Camilla's special royal Christmas lunch earlier this week has set tongues wagging about their absence at the big family event.

On Tuesday, a host of royals were seen attending the festive feast at Windsor Castle in what is believed to have been the biggest gathering of the royal family since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September.

According to inside sources, the Welsh clan decided against joining the King's first Christmas lunch, sparking reactions from some who think the couple missed the event as they did not want to steal the thunder of the British new monarch.

However, a source has rejected the rumors about the rift, saying William and Catherine are real gems of the royal family and share very strong bonding with King Charles and Queen Consul Camilla.

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Magazine reported that like many parents with young children in school, William and Catherine were simply eager to start their festive celebrations shortly after the end of the school term at Lambrook for George, Charlotte, and Louis.

The Wales clan has already left Adelaide Cottage for Amner Hall, their residence in Norfolk, where they have spent the winter break ever since it was gifted to them by the Queen in 2011.

Despite the Wales's absence, His Majesty and the Queen Consort still had plenty of guests to entertain, with Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Lawrence, and Mike and Zara Tindall and their three children all traveling to Windsor from their respective residences at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire.

Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, also made the trip from their home at Bagshot Park in Surrey.

The Royal Family traditionally attends a special service at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham on Christmas Day at 11 am before completing a walkabout to greet the hundreds of well-wishers who gather outside the building.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will almost definitely be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Lawrence, and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex for the annual public engagement on Sunday.

Prince Louis is also expected to attend the service for the first time ever, having delighted royal fans with his hilarious antics during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee last summer.

The Wales clan has been permanently based at the lavish Norfolk property, which is situated about three miles from the Sandringham Estate, between 2015 and 2017.