Queen's Pre Christmas Lunch 2018

The Queen's annual pre Christmas lunch for the extended royal relatives took place today at Buckingham Palace.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte were seen arriving with their nanny Maria and parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Charlotte

Here is a close up photo of Princess Charlotte being driven to the Queen's Christmas lunch by her parents this week. 

Queen's Christmas Lunch 2017

The Queen's extended family turned out in force for Her Majesty's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The event is an opportunity for the Queen's cousins and their children and grandchildren to gather before the Queen heads to Sandringham House for the festive period. 

The Kents and Gloucesters as well as the late Princess Margaret's children Lady Sarah Chatto and David, Lord Snowdon attend each year. 


No doubt it was an opportunity for Prince Harry to introduce this fiancee Meghan Markle to many of his family. 

In earlier years, the Queen's cousins and families could be accomodated at Sandringham or Windsor. However as the generations have grown, the families use this lunch as a chance to catch up before going their own way. 

George Attends Annual Christmas Celebration

Prince George joined his mum Catherine and Uncle Harry at the Queen's annual festive lunch for members of the Royal Family last Wednesday.

George, Catherine and Harry travelled together in the same vehicle from Kensington Palace for the short trip to Buckingham Palace where many of the extended family kicked off the Christmas season.

Prince William was unable to attend this year's lunch as he was rostered to work in his role as pilot for East Anglia Ambulance Service. William was recently quoted as saying in the Big Issue magazine:

"George will be bouncing around like a rabbit. If I get any sleep in Christmas Eve it will be good."

 The Queen and Prince Philip have since used the regular train service from London to Kings Lynn and taken up residence at Sandringham House, Norfolk where they will spend Christmas and New Year.

The Cambridge family also live on the Sandringham Estate at Amner Hall. Last year Catherine's family came to stay at Amner and joined the Royal family for the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene.

The Cambridges then joined the Royal Family at Sandringham House for lunch and later rejoined the Middleton's at Amner for further celebrations.

This year the presence of Princess Charlotte will no doubt add to the fun.