With surprise appearances, one royal turning heads on a bicycle, and a few notable absences, this year’s royal pre-Christmas lunch proved anything but predictable. All the photos are waiting for you at the end of the article!
King Charles III’s annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace unfolded on December 16, 2025, with a number of unexpected attendees and striking moments that quickly drew attention.
Despite swirling reports of “nonstop disagreements” within the royal family, the gathering appeared far more united than many had anticipated.
That sense of togetherness was most clearly reflected in who showed up.
Among the surprises was the full attendance of the Wales family. Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — all arrived at the Palace, joined by their long-time nanny.
This came as a surprise to many, considering earlier speculation that the family would not be present at the event.
Furthermore, it was previously reported that the Prince and Princess of Wales were believed to be in Norfolk during last year’s luncheon, choosing to spend time with their children after the school term had ended.
Also making a notable appearance were Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. The York sisters, who were absent from the Princess of Wales’s recent Christmas carol concert, attended the lunch amid ongoing public scrutiny of their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Although the former Duke of York has been stripped of his royal titles due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein, sources suggested that King Charles III has no intention of penalising his daughters for their father’s misdeeds.
Against that backdrop, attention turned to who did not attend.
Andrew was nowhere to be seen at the luncheon, despite rumours that the King had extended an invitation.
Instead, while his daughters gathered at the Palace, he was photographed riding a horse in the rain, underscoring his continued distance from public royal functions.
Other attendees included Sophie and Prince Edward, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Sarah Chatto, Jack Brooksbank, and several other extended family members.
The pre-Christmas gathering remains a tradition carried on by King Charles III, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who regularly hosted family at Buckingham Palace before retreating to Sandringham for Christmas Day.
Away from titles and protocol, one moment struck a different chord.
Online, the recurring topic of conversation became the arrival of David Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon, who showed up on a bicycle — a modest and refreshing sight given the typically formal nature of royal events.
One person shared, “I love that the Earl of Snowdon arrived on his bike. He seems so relatable ❤️,” while another typed, “I love how they look so un-perfect in these shots… Relatable!”
The Earl’s humble choice of transport prompted even more admiration from royal watchers. One netizen wrote, “That the Earl of Snowden arrived on Bike does not surprise me in the least [sic].”
“During his mother’s final years he lived at Kensington Palace and I was lucky enough to meet him many times. He was the most down to Earth lovely young man you could meet and arriving on a bike is just so him [sic]!” they continued.
Meanwhile, a few were briefly confused about the identity of the mystery cyclist. “Whos the guy that came on a bike [sic],” asked one person, while another commented, “I thought it was Andrew riding his bike. He looks like Andrew.” A third simply asked, “Anyone seen Andrew?”
As the online discussion continued, questions emerged regarding the former Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. One individual remarked, “Cant invite Andrew and Fergie, SURELY!! Are they not part of family [sic]?”
Despite the controversy and ongoing public curiosity, this year’s pre-Christmas lunch ultimately reinforced a sense of tradition, family continuity, and — at least for one afternoon — a shared royal presence under one roof.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were all smiles as they arrived at Buckingham Palace for King Charles III’s annual pre-Christmas lunch on December 16, 2025. Their appearance came as a pleasant surprise following their absence from the Princess of Wales’s recent carol concert and amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Behind the wheel, Princess Beatrice appeared relaxed and cheerful as she made her way into the Palace grounds, offering a closer glimpse of the York royal arriving for the festive gathering. The candid moment captured her in good spirits, underscoring the ease with which she joined the wider family celebrations hosted by King Charles III.
Princess Eugenie was also seen riding alongside her husband Jack Brooksbank with the same festive spirit as her sister. Her candy cane earrings added a playful seasonal touch, while the couple’s appearance helped reinforce their ongoing presence at key royal gatherings despite the recent scrutiny surrounding their wider family.
In a quiet but meaningful return to the royal spotlight, William, the Prince of Wales, was seen arriving at Buckingham Palace with Princess Charlotte seated beside him. Their presence came as a surprise, especially after the Wales family skipped last year’s pre-Christmas lunch.
A second glimpse revealed the Prince of Wales joined by long-time nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo and a beaming Princess Charlotte. The moment offered a rare view of the trusted aide, who has played a key role in supporting the Wales children through their public and private lives.
The full picture came into view as the entire Wales family appeared united once again, with Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales, joining the group inside the car. Catherine’s vibrant red ensemble and warm smile added a festive flourish to the occasion, underscoring the significance of their attendance after a year’s absence.
David Armstrong-Jones, the Earl of Snowdon, made one of the most talked-about entrances of the day as he arrived at Buckingham Palace on two wheels. Dressed in a high-vis vest and winter gloves, his practical yet unorthodox mode of transport immediately caught the attention of onlookers and royal watchers alike.
With his orange vest billowing in the wind, the Earl of Snowdon pedalled across the palace forecourt — a low-key but characteristically down-to-earth moment that many on social media celebrated as “relatable” and true to his nature.
As he approached the entrance, the King’s nephew flashed a cheerful smile — unaware, perhaps, that his cycling arrival would spark a flurry of online speculation and admiration, with one person even mistaking him for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Anne, Princess Royal, arrived alongside her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, both appearing composed and characteristically understated as they made their way to Buckingham Palace. Known for her unwavering dedication to duty, the Princess Royal brought her signature no-nonsense elegance to the King’s pre-Christmas celebration.