Royal Family News
Royal Family to Celebrate New Year Separately in Honor of Queen Elizabeth II
The Royal Family is set to celebrate the New Year separately this year, following the passing of their beloved matriarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles III has invited his family to spend the festive period at Sandringham, Norfolk, the late Queen's beloved estate.
The annual gathering at Sandringham usually includes exchanging humorous gifts, attending a Christmas morning church service, and enjoying a festive feast.
Traditionally, the Queen would invite family members to celebrate the New Year with her, including those who were unable to join her for Christmas.
She would attend the New Year's Eve service at her local church and often hosted a small celebration, remaining up until midnight to ensure she saw in the New Year properly.
According to Brian Hoey, author of At Home with the Queen, the Queen would also traditionally play a game of Lucky Dip on New Year's Eve, in which a footman would bring in a tub filled with sausages and hidden notes containing written predictions for the coming year.
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On New Year's Day, the Queen would attend a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham and enjoy horse riding with the family.
King Charles is expected to spend New Year's Eve at Sandringham, continuing his mother's tradition of attending church services at St. Mary Magdalene.
The custom had been disrupted in recent years due to COVID-19 restrictions and the declining health of the Queen and Prince Philip.
However, it is hoped that King Charles will restore the tradition this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly be spending New Year's Eve in Berkshire with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
The Middletons are known for hosting lively New Year's Eve parties.
A friend of the couple previously told Express.co.uk that William and Kate often like to split the holiday between their two families.
As for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they are expected to spend New Year's Eve in California, where they have lived for the past few years.
While their plans for the holiday remain undisclosed, they have previously celebrated in style, such as partying on the French Riviera with friends.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jenny Bond commented that the younger royals may choose to spend time with their own families now that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer present to hold the family together, and that the multi-day celebrations of the past may be a thing of the past.
It is understood that King Charles will break one of his mother's longest-standing traditions by heading to Scotland early in the new year.
He will continue his usual routine of spending as much of the festive season as possible at Birkhall, his Aberdeenshire estate, with Queen Camilla.
Charles will reportedly remain in Scotland for several weeks, working on his red boxes and handling affairs of state as the late Queen did.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jenny Bond told OCK magazine that the King and Queen consort would probably be happy up at Birkhall.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne, who was unable to attend church on Christmas Day due to a cold, may join King Charles at Sandringham for New Year's Eve.
In conclusion, the Royal Family will celebrate the New Year separately this year, with King Charles III inviting his family to spend the festive period at Sandringham.
The younger royals may choose to spend time with their own families, now that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer present to hold the family together.
King Charles is expected to continue his mother's tradition of attending church services at St. Mary Magdalene, but will break her longest-standing tradition by heading to Scotland early in the new year.
Despite the changes, the Royal Family will undoubtedly continue to uphold their traditions and create new ones in honor of their beloved Queen.