Christmas 'Dysfunction' Royal Style: King Charles Led Sandringham Tradition Crumbles as Key No-Shows 'Ruin' Walkabout

Where have all the royals gone?

The British Crown's annual Christmas Day walk to St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham proceeded with its customary pomp, however, the absence of key family members cast a shadow over the festivities, hinting at underlying familial tensions.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the procession, followed closely by Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, accompanied by their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the ever-spirited Prince Louis. The future queen, resplendent in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, exuded grace and warmth, engaging with well-wishers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal family.

Yet, the "conspicuous absences" of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who remained in California, and Prince Andrew, embroiled in recent scandals, "stuck out like never before," a royal fan on X observed.

Their decision to forgo the traditional family gathering speaks volumes about the current state of royal relations.

During the walkabout, Kate shared a candid moment with the crowd, humorously remarking, "I seem to have lost my family!" as she lagged behind, engrossed in conversations with attendees. This light-hearted comment endeared her further to the public, showcasing her approachable demeanor, but could be read as symbolic for the institution as a whole.

Young Louis charmed onlookers by accepting numerous gifts from admirers. At one point, overwhelmed by the generosity, he turned to his father and asked, "Papa, can you carry some?"

Many endearing interactions like this highlighted the family's close bond and "sort of saved the whole event by adding a touch of levity to the day's proceedings," a royal source said.

"The royals are incredibly quick to pick up on boredom or discontent when near crowds or in front of cameras," the insider explained. "It may seem off-putting to hear, but it is almost as if William and Kate picked up on this, and dragged over the cute kids to shift the mood immediately."

The Princess of Wales' return to public life after her cancer diagnosis earlier in the year was met with widespread admiration. Her choice of attire, particularly the small beret-style hat, was interpreted by experts as a signal of strength and confidence, reflecting her resilience and commitment to her royal duties.

But despite the cheerful facade, the absence of certain family members underscored the ongoing challenges within the royal household. The decision by Harry and Meghan to remain in the United States, coupled with Andrew's nonattendance due to recent controversies, suggests a family grappling with internal discord.

It is believed the palace snubbed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by not sending an invite to Sandringham. The Duke of York's Chinese spy escapade reportedly led to Sarah Ferguson convincing the "stubborn" prince to stay home with her at the Royal Lodge.

The Daily Beast reported on the royal absences.