Kate Middleton and Prince William Will Spend Especially Poignant Christmas with King Charles at Sandringham

Mar. 15, 2025

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare planning for a poignant Christmas.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, and their three childrenPrince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6, are set to mark the holiday withKing Charlesand most of the royal family at Sandringham, the Norfolk estate where the royal family typically spends Christmas every year.

It will be an especially emotional holiday season, as both Kate and Charles, 76, have faced serious health issues this year. Kateannounced in Septemberthat her course ofchemotherapy cancer treatment, which began in February, had finished. Charles, whoseown cancerwas discovered around the same time as Kate’s, is still undergoing his treatment. Their types of cancer have not been revealed.

Prince HarryandMeghan, Duchess of Sussexwill not be at the annual gathering and are spending Christmas in the U.S., PEOPLE confirms. According to a source, the couple did not receive an invite to the celebration. Harry, 40, is currently embroiled in a legal battle over the decision to remove his automatic top-level security and doesn’t feelhe can bring his familyto the country.

A source told PEOPLE earlier this year that, when it comes to communicating with his father, Harry’s calls"go unanswered."

Princess Charlotte, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince Louis, Prince George, King Charles III and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2022 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, where William and Kate have their office, declined to comment on the royal guest list.

Whoever is seen walking to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate will likely see it as a time to reflect on a difficult year. In addition to both Charles and Kate going through serious health crises, it has also been draining and stressful for the larger family, too. William said in an interview in Cape Town, South Africa in November that it had beena “brutal” year.

“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life," he said while there for the fourth iteration of his Earthshot Prize Awards.

The Princess of Wales and King Charles were admitted to the same hospital in January, Charles for treatment ofan enlarged prostate, while Kate had “plannedabdominal surgery,” the palace announced. When their stays crossed over at The London Clinic for a few nights in January, PEOPLE understands Charles visited his daughter-in-law while in hospital. He also entertained her for a private lunch at Windsor Castle just before she announced to the world on Mar. 22 she had started cancer treatment.

Soon after their respective hospital stays, cancer was found in both of them, and both scaled back their work and public appearances as they started their treatment.

The Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales attend The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8, 2023 in London, England.Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

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Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles as she arrives to attend the “Together At Christmas” Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 8, 2023.CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty

“The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything,” she continued.

King Charles has been based in Sandringham along withQueen Camilla, who isrecovering from a chest infectionannounced earlier this month, for the last several days, heading to London for his ongoing cancer treatment and for an engagement at the palace. It’s thought he has used this time to start planning for the holidays.

source: people.com