Queen Camilla's son reveals truth about royal Christmas - and why he's never been a guest

Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla, has lifted the lid on the Royal Family's arrangements for Christmas and reveals that he has not been a guest at the festive celebration at Sandringham

With the countdown to Chrismas now officially on, attention will be returning to the Royal Family's festive celebrations.

Traditionally, all members of the Firm head to the Sandringham estate for the big day where they are pictured on their annual walk to church on Christmas morning before they head back for a traditional festive feast.

Since he became monarch two years ago, King Charles has kept many of the traditions of royal Christmas - with Queen Camilla at his side. However, despite reports suggesting otherwise, Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles has revealed he hasn't yet joined in with the festivities at Sandringham.

In an interview with People magazine, the food writer revealed: "We are married in, we are not the royal family – I've never for one second said that. I find everyone incredibly nice and friendly and we've know them all for a long time. It does seem natural. That's not to say myself and the children spend running around palaces. I have my own job and the children have school. I haven't been to Christmas yet for various reasons."

But despite not travelling to Sandringham, Tom did reveal that he and his children, Camilla's beloved grandchildren, do get to spend some time with her at Christmas as she and her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, Tom's dad, hold a post-Christmas bash.

He explained: "My mother and father are still great friends and we will go down on December 27 and my mother will sometimes come. It is something to work towards. It's a maturity that is a great thing if — despite a marriage sometimes not working –you can keep it together for the sake of the children and the sake of each other then it’s a very good thing."

The royals have several big events in the diary before the festive season is in full swing. Next weekend they will lead the nation for the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London before the King marks his 76th birthday a few days later.

It has been a busy time for Charles and Camilla after recently embarking on a gruelling tour taking in Australia and Samoa. However, it has been revealed that the couple broke up the arduous journey back from the South Pacific island of Samoa by heading to India, where they enjoyed several days at the Soukya resort known for its wellness programmes and Ayurvedic treatments.

The spa location is understood to be well-known to Charles and Camilla with them both having visited several times before. In fact, Camilla is also understood spent a few days at the resort earlier this month too, prior to heading to Australia for the start of the tour.

Royal sources said the stopover was not connected to the King's ongoing treatment for cancer, although doctors have advised the monarch to include appropriate periods of rest as part of the overall long distances covered for the royal tour of Australia and Samoa earlier this month. The couple returned to the UK on a commercial flight and the King will resume his treatment cycle on his return back.

News of the break comes after it was revealed that doctors have green-lit the King's return to a full programme of events next year, including two major overseas tours. Charles, despite his ongoing cancer fight, is fully behind plans for high-profile tours in the spring and autumn, with Canada one possible destination.