King Charles' lonely Christmas party as closest relatives swerve festive get-together

King Charles is hosting his annual pre-Christmas lunch for his extended family at Buckingham Palace today - but several key members of the Firm are missing from the much-loved event

King Charles is hosting his annual pre-Christmas lunch today for up to 70 members - but several key members of the Firm will be missing.

Each year, in the days before Christmas, a festive party is held for all members of the Royal Family with around 70 of the King's relatives invited to the bash. However, despite a whole host of relatives set to be at Buckingham Palace today for the party, several of Charles' closest relatives won't be there.

It was revealed before the bash that Charles's son Prince William, daughter-in-law Kate and their three children would not be there. A royal source said William and Kate are already in Norfolk, as had been planned, and were instead looking forward to spending time with the rest of the royal family at Sandringham over Christmas.

The Wales family have Amner Hall, their country retreat on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, where they usually spend the school holidays. However, they are expected to join the royal Christmas celebrations there next week with the King and other invited members of the family. It is believed the Waleses', who have attended the event in the past with their children, decided not to attend the lunch some time ago.

Not only that but Charles' youngest son Prince Harry will also not be there with his wife Meghan Markle and children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The Sussexes look set to spend the festive period in California as the feud between Harry and his father rumbles on.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the couple will not be returning to the UK for Christmas as they have not received an invite for this year's get-together at Sandringham, according to a source close to the couple, cited in People magazine.

And it's not just William, Harry and their families not at Buckingham Palace today. Prince Andrew is also set to be missing from the event. The beleaguered royal will no longer join the party amid the ongoing furore over his relationship with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo. Andrew has decided to stay away from the festivities this year in light of his latest scandal. A source also told The Times that William and Kate's abscence is not linked to Andrew pulling out of the event

It is understood it was Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson who advised him to keep a low-profile and stay away from the Palace soiree this afternoon. Furthermore, the former couple have decided to remain at their home in Royal Lodge on Christmas Day, rather than travel to Sandringham with the rest of the family, to avoid further embarrassing the King.

The duke, now 64, disappeared from public life since stepping down from official duties in 2019, but he carried on joining the royal family for Christmas Day. Last year, he walked from Sandringham House to church with the other royals – seen as symbolic in his gradual rehabilitation within the family.

After the service, the duke laughed and threw up his hands as he joked with well-wishers, and was joined by his ex-wife duchess, who made a return to the royal fold after missing Sandringham for a number of decades.