Amid ongoing health concerns for King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton are setting a new course for royal Christmas traditions. In this context, the couple is steering the festive season toward a blend of modernity and accessibility, thereby aligning it more closely with middle-class values during this time of change.
In a bid to modernize royal Christmas traditions, Prince William and Kate are planning celebrations that resonate with middle-class values amid King Charles's health struggles, Daily Beast reported.
King Charles is currently facing serious health challenges and is expected to continue grappling with cancer as the holiday season approaches. Consequently, his condition has led him to reduce his public appearances, which became evident during his recent state visit to Australia, where he faced criticism and heckling about his role.
Furthermore, the Monarch's health has cast uncertainty on the extent of his participation in this year's royal Christmas activities. While traditional events like the Royal Family’s full-family Christmas church walk are set to proceed, questions remain about the scale of King Charles's involvement.
Prince William and his wife Kate are significantly pivoting from the customary royal festivities by hosting a Christmas event at their Anmer Hall residence. **In contrast to traditional celebrations,** they tout this party as far less formal than the usual royal gathering and plan to include Kate's family, highlighting a shift toward informality and an embrace of middle-class values.
A former courtier mentioned, "A little social media of the family eating chocolate and watching TV would be a very effective way of showing how normal Christmas is at Anmer Hall compared to what we hear about at Sandringham." This move is part of a broader strategy to portray the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as relatable figures who embrace a simpler, less ceremonial approach to the season's celebrations.
Despite the shift in some traditions, the royal family will continue the custom of exchanging joke gifts on Christmas Eve at Sandringham House, a tradition they enjoy. **Nevertheless,** a narrative is unfolding from William and Kate's camp about altering this practice in the future under their leadership.
Kate's perspective on this tradition has been quite clear; as a friend shared, "Kate has always found the presents on Christmas Eve thing weird. It is going to be got rid of when they are officially running things."
The day following Christmas, known as Boxing Day, features traditional events, including pheasant and partridge shooting. This year, Prince William will lead the activity, a role typically held by senior royals, highlighting his increasing presence in royal traditions.
However, the involvement of King Charles may be limited due to his health, adding a layer of uncertainty to the familial and public celebrations. A friend close to the situation remarked, "It will be a quieter Christmas than last year, but the question is, how quiet? Usually, everyone would know what bits they are invited to by now. This year, it’s just wait and see."
The communication plan around Christmas contrasts the Duke and Duchess’s laid-back celebrations with the more elaborate traditional royal customs. This strategy involves sharing snapshots of their Christmas on social media, highlighting ordinary family activities that many can relate to.
A communications executive who has worked with the couple added, "William and Kate have made an incredibly successful brand out of being normal and boring, but the crazy royal customs at Christmas threaten all that."
As we approach the 2023 holiday season, it is clear that change is in the air for the British Royal Family, bringing a blend of old and new as they navigate both familial health challenges and public expectations. Prince William and Kate’s adjustments could set new precedents for how royal holidays are celebrated in the years to come, marking a significant shift in royal family dynamics and public engagement.
