Kate and William have decided to join the King for Christmas as the royals unite following the family’s year-long cancer battle.
The festive celebration will mark the first time the royal family have come together en-masse after a tumultuous year for the monarch and the Princess of Wales, who were diagnosed with the disease within days of each other. King Charles and Kate even spent time in the same hospital at the same time over several days in January. The King was said to have ‘toddled’ down the hospital corridor to comfort his beloved daughter-in-law as they both recovered from surgeries.
Kate and Charles have bravely faced cancer battles at the same time this year ( Image: Getty Images)
The future queen was admitted to the London Clinic in Marylebone for an abdominal operation on January 16, when Charles was also admitted for a procedure on an enlarged prostate. Secondary tests revealed the King was suffering from a “form of cancer”, while astonishingly doctors also discovered in Kate’s post-op tests that disease had also been “present” in her body. Both the King and Princess stepped away from public duties to concentrate on their recovery.
While the monarch is still receiving weekly treatment, the Princess of Wales revealed in October, after eight months of chemotherapy, that she had finally completed her treatment.
Royal sources have revealed how the King is ‘delighted’ to have the Prince and Princess and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six – confirmed for Christmas and has already been making plans to celebrate with them and his extended family after such a difficult year.
William and Kate with their children at Christmas last year ( Image: PA)
The King has this week been preparing his Sandringham home ready to welcome the family to Norfolk for the festive holidays. Royal sources revealed how Charles has been touring the estate and main house this week, busy liaising with staff about Christmas plans.
The King returned to London briefly on Tuesday to continue his weekly treatment plan as well as presenting credentials to foreign ambassadors and high commissioners at Buckingham Palace. But he swiftly returned to Sandringham on Wednesday to carry on with his Christmas planning.
A royal insider said: “The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.”
Charles will spend the weekend on the estate with the Queen before they return to London on Monday, but have been enjoying the estate so much together that they are planning and extended festive break and will spend New Year’s Eve in Norfolk.
A source close to the King said: “His Majesty has taken great solace in being among nature and enjoying time outdoors throughout his cancer treatment.
King Charles has been touring his Sandringham estate in Norfolk preparing to welcome his family for Christmas Image: PA)
Charles and Camilla at Balmoral, where they will enjoy time in early January ( Image: Clarence House via Getty Images)
“It’s something he believes has helped him incredibly throughout his ordeal. He is very much looking forward to spending quality time with as many of his close family as possible.”
Other family members expected to attend include the King’s embattled brother Prince Andrew, despite being exiled from official royal duties in 2019 amid his association with the late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
Sources suggest the King has underlined his commitment to having the family united, especially over the Christmas period. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children, Lady Louise, 20 and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, are also expected to join. The King will host the traditional Christmas Eve black tie dinner where the family exchange presents, normally with a comical slant.
However, the Queen may be hoping for a new puppy after the King revealed to TV star Amanda Holden at the Royal Variety Performance last week that he was looking to get a new dog for Christmas after Camilla’s beloved Jack Russell Beth sadly passed away recently.
Charles and Camilla will travel to Scotland to stay in Balmoral in early January, while the King will undertake some private engagements at first, returning to public duties a week later. The Queen, who has been recovering from a “nasty” chest infection, forcing her to cancel some duties in recent weeks, will be with her husband throughout the festive and New Year period.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the King and Queen, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, will lead a State Visit from the Qatari royal family. Camilla also has a literacy engagement next week in London, one of the pillars of her work in recent years.
