Kate, William, and Their Kids Love This Royal Holiday Tradition Started by King Charles
He puts on a heartwarming display at Sandringham every year.
Every year, the royal family heads to Sandringham House for the holidays, a tradition started by the late Queen Elizabeth and carried on by her son, King Charles. Though things might look a little different this Christmas—for one, sources report that Kate Middleton will be hosting a “rival” holiday party alongside Charles and Queen Camilla’s annual bash—the king is also bringing back a royal Christmas tradition that’s beloved by the entire family.
The estate, located in Norfolk, England and owned by King Charles, is getting the winter wonderland treatment for the fifth year in a row, thanks to the installation of lights along the grounds. Luminate, which is a mile-long festive glowing trail meandering through Sandringham’s Country Park, has been delighting the public with light installations, ambient music, and festive activities since 2020—and the royal family reportedly also enjoys the wintertime tradition, which goes until Dec. 24 this year.
Princess Kate and Prince William memorably brought their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis to the light festival back when it first opened, and it’s likely that the couple will be exploring the trail’s Christmas tree maze, food stalls, Christmas tree house, marshmallow roasting fire pit, and other festive attractions again this year.
It’ll be an extra special holiday season for the royals this year, coming after a tough 2024 with Kate and Charles’s health issues. While Kate–who recently announced she’s finished undergoing chemo treatment–has been largely staying out of the public eye except for a few major engagements here and there, it sounds like she’s determined to go all out for the holidays.
The Princess of Wales is ending the year with a bang, as the Palace confirmed that she will be holding her annual Christmas carol concert for a crowd of 1,600 guests, including several Swifties, at Westminster Abbey. She and William also reportedly plan to attend an official royal state visit from Qatar in early December.