The Royal Christmas 2008-2012

[Iluvbertie]

That Andrew was the favourite was the reported story in the 1980s and early 1990s but since the mid to late 90s it is Edward that has been referred to as the favourite.

[Princess Alix]

Church Service at St. Mary Magdalene, December 27th:

Some pics from Mad Hattery!:
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: HM The Queen and HRH The Countess of Wessex
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: Mrs. Peter Phillips
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: HRH Princess Eugenie of York
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: HRH Princess Beatrice of York
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: HRH The Princess Royal
Mad Hattery! » Blog Archive » St. Mary Magdalen: The Lady Sarah Chatto and Viscountess Linley

[Goodness]

There is something wrong.
None of them were genuinely happy. There was put on smiles but something is up.
Didn't anyone notice that the Duke of Edinburgh walked alone, than Edward, Anne and Tim Lawrence and then the large group of younger royals with Sarah Chatto and Helen Taylor. I have no idea where Prince Andrew walked.

Zara walking arm in arm with William in and then out with Harry. Sophie taken Beatrice arm when they walked out. They were finding support for themselves emotionally not as they were wearing heels. Edward and Andrew appeared to have been absence from the event, even Sunday appearance. We saw Edward arrive, but he didn't leave with the others.
I have never seen the Duke of Edinburgh walk alone to church on Christmas. The whole walk looks staged, something is wrong.

[Opal]

They all look completely normal to me, even jovial. Are you trying to suggest that Sophie and Edward are having problems?

[ashelen]

i wonder what they buy for xmas presents?

[Lumutqueen]

Originally Posted by Opal

They all look completely normal to me, even jovial. Are you trying to suggest that Sophie and Edward are having problems?

I agree with you.
I've seen the DofE walk on his own before, and as for the leaning on each other it's probably due to the ice and high heels.

Originally Posted by Goodness

Didn't anyone notice that the Duke of Edinburgh walked alone I have no idea where Prince Andrew walked.

And also this picture shows that Prince Andrew walked with the DofE.
http://i50.tinypic.com/2v2a174.jpg

This one shows Andrew walking in front of Prince William and Princess Beatrice.
http://i45.tinypic.com/1479fn.jpg

Originally Posted by Goodness

Edward and Andrew appeared to have been absence from the event, even Sunday appearance. We saw Edward arrive, but he didn't leave with the others.

As for Prince Edward & Andrew.
Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At Sandringham - Pictures - Zimbio

You can see them leaving here.

[Sereta]

They all look so happy. I'm sure they enjoy being with each other as they probably don't get to see each other very much throughout the year.
I love the photo of Charles and Zara having a laugh, and this one too: http://picture.belga.be/belgapicture...v/17645479.jpg
There seems to be more snow and ice this year. Check out those huge piles of snow.
http://i50.tinypic.com/2v2a174.jpg

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by lumutqueen

I agree with you.
I've seen the DofE walk on his own before, and as for the leaning on each other it's probably due to the ice and high heels.
And also this picture shows that Prince Andrew walked with the DofE.
http://i50.tinypic.com/2v2a174.jpg

And this is the reason why I don't trust photos in the papers - crop this one and it would be easy to say that the Duke went on his own by simply cutting Andrew out of the picture.

[muriel]

I suspect we are unlikely to see Kate at Sandringham this year as it will be her last Christmas before the wedding.

[Lumutqueen]

It was reported that William wasn't going to attend Sandringham this year, so Kate on her own is very improbable.
William probably chose to stay in Wales so he could spend his christmas quietly with his fiancee.

[Iluvbertie]

I was under the impression that he had volunteered to serve on Christmas Day but I haven't seen any confirmation that he will be on duty that day yet.
If he is on duty he won't be with Kate anyway as he will be on base and she will be somewhere else - either waiting alone in the house in Wales, with her family or maybe at Sandringham with her future family.

[muriel]

Sounds like Kate will be spending her last christmas with her parents...

[Zonk]

I think that will make sense. Next year it will be expected that she at least attends the Christmas service before joining her family for the holidays. I think with William and Kate you will see more of a general holiday spilt. You know, how most people spend Thanksgiving with her family, and Christmas with his? Before it always appeared that that wives (Diana, Sophie and Sarah) didn't appear to see their families for the holiday. At least, that what it looked like via the pictures.

[Iluvbertie]

Traditionally the entire British royal family gathers the evening before Christmas at Sandringham, opens there presents that evening, attends church together the next morning, have lunch together and then watches the Queen's Christmas message. Camilla has been reported as leaving Sandringham to go to her own family after that.

I suspect that William and Kate will follow that formula and spend Christmas evening with the Middletons.

[muriel]

.... or perhaps, K&W will spend Boxing Day with the Middletons.

[Zonk]

I am aware that Camilla spends part of the holiday with her family. I didn't mention her because of her age and background. What I mean about that is that she has/had grown children from her first marriage and grandchildren...so of course it would be expected that she would spend some time with them.

In reference to Diana, Sarah and Sophie they had their parents, siblings and nieces and nephews but its not the same. They certainly could have spent time with their families but 1) we never really knew it and 2) if so it was certainly not as publicized as Camilla's.

[Warren]

The Royal Christmas 2010


. .

[iceflower]

__________________


Today, December 16, the annual Christmas lunch hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace
for the extended family has taken place. Here are some arrival pics - the list is not complete,
Zara Phillips, Princess Alexandra, Lady Helen and Lord Linley with their families and others were
attending as well..


** Prince and Princess Michael of Kent ** A very pregnant Autumn Phillips **

** Countess Sophie, Prince Edward and the children ** Lady Louise **

** Lady Gabriella ** Princess Anne ** Princess Beatrice ** Lady Sarah and family **

** Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor ** Lady Davina and husband Gary **

** Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla ** Prince William and Catherine **

[soapstar]

Here are a few more photos.

Photo 1 and #2, and the rest of the royals.

Yeah, I hope we can get some better photos.

[ghost_night554]

Aw yay! So happy to see her with the other royals finally!