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The royal family is convening for King Charles' annual Christmas lunch, including Kate Middleton and Prince William with their kids after missing last year's event
The Christmas luncheon is a tradition the King has continued from his late mother Queen Elizabeth's reign
The festive feast has been held at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in recent years
The royal family is coming together forKing Charles' Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace in London.
Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamattended the Dec. 16 event with their children —Prince George, 12,Princess Charlotte, 10, andPrince Louis, 7 — aftermissing last year's holiday lunch. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, were photographed in cars outside the event, with the royal heir driving — his wife beside him in the passenger seat while George, Charlotte and Louis were in the backseat.
The family was also joined by theirnanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who has been with them since Prince George was a baby.
Princess Kate and her daughter twinned in festive hair bows, both wearing a half-up style and red outfits.
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Although Prince William and Princess Kate were regulars at the Christmas lunch, they missed the event in 2024. At the time, the family was already in Norfolk, England, more than 100 miles away from London, where they traditionally spend the holiday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children stepped out with the royal family about a week later for their annual Christmas morning walk to church, and Princess Kate later announced in January that she wasin remissionafter undergoing treatment for cancer in 2024.
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Also attending Tuesday's lunch werePrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie, who were photographed driving there together. The sistersrecently missed Princess Kate's Christmas carol service, with Eugenie later expressing on Instagram that they wished they could have attended. PEOPLE understands that Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, were invited to the Christmas service in early autumn, but they were unable to attend due to other commitments.
Meanwhile, photos of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (the former Prince Andrew),horseback riding in the rainaround Windsor Park were captured on Tuesday. The King stripped his brother of his royal titles and honors amid renewed interest in his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has not joined the royal family at events since, but he did attend hisgranddaughter's private christeningon Friday, Dec. 12, as did his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
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Other members of the royal family who were spotted heading to the lunch included Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; the Duke of Kent; Lady Amelia Windsor; Lord Frederick Windsor and his wife, Sophie Winkleman; Lady Helen Taylor; and Daniel Chatto and Lady Sarah Chatto.
It's a tradition within the royal family for the sovereign to host the extended royal family for a luncheon about a week before Christmas.
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The gathering is a private family event, meaning that no photos are released from inside the festive feast, which usually draws dozens of family members.
The custom is one of many that King Charles, 77, has continued from his motherQueen Elizabeth's reign. The late Queen would welcome over 50 family members to the lunch in London, held about a week before she went to Sandringham House in Norfolk to celebrate Christmas.
While Queen Elizabeth typically held the Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, King Charles andQueen Camillaswitched up tradition by hosting the lunch at Windsor Castle in 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, the King held the lunch again at Buckingham Palace.
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