Here’s every royal we’ve seen arrive for Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace

King Charles continues a Christmas tradition started by his late mother Queen Elizabeth. Today he hosted a pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace for members of the royal family – the first time he has hosted it at the palace during his reign. (In the last two years have lunch was held at Windsor Castle.)

There were a few notable absences at today’s lunch: Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children have already left London for their country house in Norfolk. In addition Prince Andrew skipped lunch after revelations he has been linked to an alleged Chinese spy. Still, there were plenty of Windsors in attendance at Buckingham Palace today. Here are all the royals we saw arriving at the palace for Christmas lunch in 2024:

King Charles arrived at the lunch with his private secretary Sir Clive Alderton.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were among the guests at the Christmas lunch.

Queen Camilla arrived at the lunch in a separate car from King Charles. She was seen wearing a pearl necklace.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, were photographed leaving the lunch.

The 89-year-old Duke of Kentwho lives at Kensington Palace, appeared.

It appears that he was joined by his daughter-in-law, Sylvana Tomaselli.

Princess Margaret’s grandson Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones wore a festive coat.

Princess Beatrice was all smiles as she arrived for lunch; she was joined by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The couple announced it recently they are expecting their second child.

Photographs of the family leaving the palace after lunch showed them being joined by Edo’s son from his previous relationship, Christopher “Woolfie” Mapelli Mozzi.

Their daughter, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, also made a rare public appearance – her first with the royal family.

Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbankalso attended the Christmas lunch.

If you look closely at this photograph, there is a person in the back seat wearing a pixie hat – perhaps it is Eugenie’s older son, August?

A photo of the family leaving shows their son joining them for lunch.

Princess Margaret’s grandson Samuel Chatto arrived solo, sporty last year’s Christmas present (a Highgrove scarf) from King Charles.

Princess Alexandra87, has stepped back from public engagements for the past few years but made a rare appearance today at the Christmas lunch.

Flora Vesterberg and her husband, Timothy Vesterberg, were the only members of the royal family to enter Buckingham Palace.

They also set off on foot – and Timothy was pictured with some Christmas presents.

Lord Frederick Windsor, Sophie Winkleman and their daughter Isabella were pictured driving to the palace.

Sophie accessorized with pearl earrings for the celebratory lunch.

The Duke of Kent’s daughterLady Helen Taylor (right), was joined by her husband Timothy Taylor (front left), Lady Helen Taylor (front right) and their daughters Estella and Eloise Taylor.

The Duke of Kent’s son, George Windsor, Earl of St. Andrews (right, in glasses), was joined by his daughters Lady Marina Windsor (back left) and Lady Amelia Windsor (back centre).

His son, Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, arrived in a separate vehicle.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were among the members of the royal family seen.

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma was seen arriving. The Countess was close to the late Prince Philip. She is married to Norton Knatchbull, grandson of Philip’s uncle, Louis Mountbatten.

James Ogilvy, the only son of Princess Alexandraarrived with his wife, Julia Ogilvy, who wore a festive red scarf for the occasion.

Lady Davina Windsor (sitting in the back seat) arrived with two as yet unidentified guests.

A member of the public took a photo of the king arriving at the palace.

You might also like