All the Ways the Royal Family’s 2025 Christmas Plans Are Causing Drama and Chaos

The Royals Are Heading to Sandringham

We’re officially a week away from Christmas, which means it’s nothing but yule logs and “Jingle Bells” from here on out. And truly, no one takes cozy season more seriously than the British royal family, who typically celebrate Christmas together in a fancy castle. But 2025 is shaping up to look a little different than usual, thanks to some unprecedented drama brewing amongst the royals. Let’s collectively settle in and discuss.

Radcliffe/Bauer-Griffin//Getty Images

The royal family almost always spends Christmas in Sandringham—a fancy castle in Norfolk, which is almost definitely haunted. Typically, the entire group heads to the estate, including King Charles and his kids (plus their kids), as well as Charles’ siblings (Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) and their extended families. But, um, this year...

Andrew Isn’t Invited, Which Complicates Things for His Daughters

Back in September—even before they got their royal titles revoked—The Times reported that Andrew and his ex, Sarah Ferguson, had both been asked by Charles not to join the family at Sandringham this year due to further revelations in the press about their ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And while it’s rumored that Andrew will spend one last Christmas at Royal Lodge before he’s evicted, it’s unclear how his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will spend the holiday.

Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, the York sisters are “struggling with Christmas” plans and facing a “tug-of-love” dilemma after being invited by Charles to spend Christmas at Sandringham, as “they are equally devoted to their parents” and “it falls to the princesses to soothe family divisions.”

As royal biographer Andrew Lownie previously told Cosmo UK, “Beatrice and Eugenie’s business careers have predicated on their remaining Princesses and remaining in the royal fold. So we will see them want to maintain that.”

William Isn’t Here for Royal Christmas Traditions

Another source of drama? Wills has a few royal Christmas traditions he’d reportedly like to retire.

For instance, the royals have a long-standing tradition of giving each other “joke gifts” during their celebration at Sandringham—which are handed out in order of seniority. According to a source for the Daily Mail, “While William’s mind is on much bigger changes than just the trestle table, it’s well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he’s never really taken to. You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas.”

Apparently, the hierarchal treatment of royals at Christmas also extends to sleeping arrangements—with “lower” royals being “housed in servants’ quarters, further away from the dining room.”

Per the source, “William’s reign will be a general vibe shift, and little customs like the gift-giving ceremony will be undoubtedly swallowed up by that broader change.”

Will’s Step-Siblings Won’t Be Making an Appearance

Though this is probably a relief to Wills after last year’s drama, it has been confirmed by Tom Parker Bowles that he and his sister, Laura Lopes, will not be spending Christmas at Sandringham.

As he told the Daily Mail, he and his sister do Christmas “every other year” with Queen Camilla, adding that, for Christmas this year, “It’s back to the sofa at my ex-wife’s.”

Don’t Get Your Hopes Up for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Attending

Stephen Pond//Getty Images

The couple hasn’t attended a royal Christmas in a minute—and it seems they won’t be this year, either.

A source told Us Weekly there are concerns about “whether or not trust can be rebuilt” after Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party at Jeff Bezos’ mansion last month, adding, “If they are going to go out and look like Hollywood players, it’s at odds with what the palace and royal family members would do.”

Rob Shuter’s ShuterScoop later reported that Harry and Meghan plan to call the King on Christmas, with a source saying, “They won’t be there in person, but they will be in touch. It’s important to Harry that his father hears from him on Christmas.”

Charles Is Reportedly Preparing for This Christmas to Be His Last

Speaking of Charles! Amid his cancer battle, a source told Us Weekly that Charles “knows his time is precious” and “wants a special last Christmas in case it’s his last.”

As royal commentator Amanda Matta later explained to Fox News, “The idea that he wants this Christmas to be ‘extra special’ makes sense—not because it’s necessarily his last, but because he’s acutely aware of time and legacy. For the royals, the unique blend of tradition and togetherness at Christmas acts as a reset button.”

She added, “No one really knows the full extent of Charles’ health struggles, other than the fact that they are ongoing. After such a turbulent year—with family rifts, Andrew’s removal of titles, and his own ongoing treatment, now dragging into its third year—understandably, he’d want to make this Christmas feel meaningful.”

A Strike Could Make This Christmas a Chilly One

A workers' movement could also impact the royals’ annual holiday celebrations this year. As reported by the Express, British oil delivery drivers have announced their intention to go on strike to negotiate better working conditions.

This would deprive a LOT of people of oil for heating—including Sandringham Estate, which could face a “cold Christmas” as a result.