Did Prince George Attend Royal Christmas Lunch? Plus, Inside His First Holiday Plans

Find out how Kate Middleton and Prince William's son will be celebrating

By Peter Gicas, Brett Malec Dec 18, 2013 7:49 PMTags
Prince William, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate MiddletonREX USA/Rex

The royal holiday celebrations are officially underway.

Earlier today, members of the British royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, attended Queen Elizabeth II's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Will and Kate were snapped arriving to the special event in their Range Rover, Kate sporting a festive red coat.

Other royals who attended the Queen's lunch included Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Princess Beatrice, Prince Edward and Prince Michael of Kent. (Prince Harry is currently battling the snowy South Pole weather.)

While it's not clear whether or not royal baby Prince George was in attendance (note: something that could be a car seat can be seen in the back of Will and Kate's car), little George does have lots of fun stuff planned for his first Christmas. So what do George's holiday celebrations entail? Read on to find out.

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Christmas Eve: Will, Kate and Prince George will travel to the queen's estate at Sandringham to join several other guests there. In addition to William, Kate and George, other expected invitees include Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Harry, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Younger family members will reportedly get into the holiday spirit by adding more decorations to the approximately 20-foot Christmas tree. Later, it's time to exchange gifts. Per tradition, the tearing open of presents does not take place on Christmas, as the queen views the day as a religious festival.

As for what everyone will receive, apparently the royal family prefers to give each other small or funny gifts, nothing too terribly lavish. After gift time, the family attends a black-tie dinner at the estate around 8 p.m. "It's a very formal, traditional setup in that the family dresses appropriately and are waited on by their staff in a formal environment," a source tells E! News. "But the conversation isn't stuffy and serious. There's a jovial atmosphere."

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Christmas Day: The morning will start off with breakfast before everyone makes their way to nearby services over at Sandringham's St. Mary Magdalene parish church. The service will reportedly only last about 12 minutes after which the royals sit down for lunch.

Later, the group will gather around the television to watch the queen give her annual Christmas address. "The family does watch TV on Christmas day," according to the source. "They all watch the queen's speech together, and then it's often on in the afternoon for special Christmas shows. Traditionally, that was a time for games and walks, but as the younger generations have become more relaxed, traditions have changed."

Come evening, everyone changes and dines together at around 8 p.m.

Boxing Day (Dec. 26): Breakfast will be served in the morning before Will and several others head out for a pheasant hunt on the grounds. Soon after the shoot, all the royals will say their goodbyes and leave the estate to return to their respective homes.