Former royal butler Grant Harrold has seen his share of royal celebrations after working for King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) at Highgrove House from 2004 to 2011. With Christmas approaching, the Royal Butler author is weighing in on how the festive season might change for the royals in the future—and one "big" Christmas departure King Charles could make soon.
Speaking to GB News in collaboration with OLBG, Harrold explained that Queen Elizabeth and her family typically spent Christmas in Windsor before a devastating fire in the '90s. "After the fire at Windsor Castle, the Royal Family were forced to relocate their Christmas holidays from Windsor to Sandringham," he said.
Each year, the Royal Family celebrates at the Sandringham estate and walks to church on Christmas Day while greeting members of the public. "The trip to Norfolk has been a part of their annual diary ever since, but I think The King may make another change and bring Christmas back to Windsor Castle," Harrold shared. He continued that if the switch doesn't happen "this year" he thinks it will be “in the near future."
The Royal Family is seen walking to church on Christmas Day 2024.
"I think this could be another big change that The King brings in," Harrold said. “The King has already made big changes to the summer holiday plans, showing he’s not afraid to adapt things to make it work better for how the family runs in 2025."
With a number of the royals based in or around Windsor, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three kids—who are relocating to a new home in Windsor Great Park later this year—Harrold noted that "it's much closer for all of them."
"It’s where the King’s parents and grandparents are laid to rest, so it’s very special to him," the former butler added. "However, the King does like Sandringham. If he doesn’t go at Christmas, he won’t be back there for several months. So only time will tell."
King Charles is pictured recording his annual Christmas broadcast in 2024.
In other Christmas news, royal sources have claimed that The King isn't inviting Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to Sandringham (or wherever the celebrations are held) this year. With Ferguson involved in yet another scandal surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles is said to want his brother and former sister-in-law to remain "invisible" at future family gatherings.
Speaking to the Times, a source close to King Charles said that "it would be very much for the best and the family would not be disappointed" if the Duke and Duchess of York avoided visiting Sandringham during the holidays.
