For almost every year of his life, Prince William has spent Christmas Day in the exact same way – at Sandringham with his royal relatives. At the age of 43, The Prince of Wales is very used to the royal Christmas traditions, whether that be opening presents on Christmas Eve, walking to church on Christmas Day morning or tucking into a nice festive lunch.
While William appears to enjoy the big day, and attends with his wife and three children, one former royal butler has suggested that this does not mean the prince will keep Christmas at Sandringham when he one day becomes King. Instead, former royal butler Paul Burrell believes that change will happen when William wears the crown, and this could involve Christmas traditions.
Speaking on behalf of Casino.org, Burrell even went so far as to name two places William and his family could spend Christmas in the future when he is monarch.
Burrell told Express.co.uk: “They may very well choose to spend Christmas with the Middletons or even stay at Forest Lodge—that would feel like a true family Christmas for them.
“Having a house full of servants and a house full of extended relatives is not the way forward for William. I’m afraid it’s going to be all change.”
Burrell even suggested that the family’s Norfolk home Anmer Hall could be another place they may choose to spend Christmas when William is King, with the festivities also likely to be much smaller than they are under King Charles.
The former royal butler, who was good friends with William’s late mother Princess Diana, said: “The King feels a duty to invite the entire family; William will not feel that same obligation.”
He continued: “He’ll invite the Middletons and his immediate family.
“Anmer Hall, another property on the estate, would be a more fitting, more intimate setting for their Christmases.”
Prince William, who is first-in-line to the throne, has not hinted at changing specific Christmas traditions when his time as monarch comes.
However, he has made it clear that change will be on the agenda under his leadership, which is something he will reportedly embrace when the time comes.
