Royal Family to Celebrate New Year Separately Following Queen Elizabeth II’s Passing

The Royal Family is reportedly planning to celebrate the New Year separately this year in light of the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III, in honor of his late mother, has invited his family to spend the festive period at Sandringham, the Queen's beloved estate in Norfolk.

Traditionally, the annual gathering at Sandringham includes exchanging humorous gifts, attending a Christmas morning church service, and enjoying a festive feast.

Queen Elizabeth would often stay at Sandringham until February 6, the anniversary of her father's death and her accession to the throne, and ring in the New Year at the country home.

In previous years, the Queen would invite family members to join her for New Year's celebrations, including those who were unable to be present for Christmas.

She would attend the New Year's Eve service at her local church and host a small celebration, staying up until midnight to properly welcome the New Year.

One of the Queen's traditional activities on New Year's Eve was playing a game called Lucky Dip, where a footman would bring in a tub filled with hidden notes containing written predictions for the coming year.

On New Year's Day, she would attend a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham and enjoy horse riding with the family.

King Charles is expected to continue his mother's tradition of attending church services at St. Mary Magdalene on New Year's Eve.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the declining health of the Queen and Prince Philip, the custom had been disrupted in recent years.

However, it is hoped that King Charles will restore the tradition this year and may be joined by friends and family members who were unable to attend Christmas festivities.

After celebrating New Year's Eve at Sandringham, King Charles will head to Scotland, breaking one of his mother's longest-standing traditions.

He plans to spend several weeks at Birkhall, his Aberdeenshire estate, with Queen Camilla.

During this time, he will continue his usual routine of working on his red boxes and handling affairs of state.

Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, are expected to spend New Year's Eve in Berkshire with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

The Middletons are known for hosting lively New Year's Eve parties, and it is a tradition for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to split their holiday between both families.

Prince William enjoys the informality of staying with the Middletons and cherishes the opportunity to relax in a normal family environment.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jenny Bond suggests that the younger royals may choose to spend more time with their own families now that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer present to hold the family together.

The multi-day celebrations of the past may become a thing of the past as well.

As for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they are expected to spend New Year's Eve in California, where they have been living for the past few years.

While their specific plans remain undisclosed, they have previously celebrated the holiday in style, such as partying on the French Riviera and spending time in Canada with Meghan's mother, Doria.

In 2018, they had a quiet New Year's Eve at Sandringham due to Meghan's pregnancy.

With the absence of Queen Elizabeth II and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the royal family's New Year's Eve traditions and activities have likely undergone significant changes.

It remains to be seen how the family members will adapt and create new traditions in the coming years.

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