The ‘Problem’ With a Potential Christmas at Sandringham Invite for Kate Middleton’s Parents
The more, the merrier? Not always. Even with the British royal family and Christmas at Sandringham. Kate Middleton’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, are, according to a royal author, very likely to get an invite to Sandringham. But it’s not without a “problem.”
‘It’s a very real possibility’ Kate’s parents are invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham
On The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, author and royal correspondent Katie Nicholl discussed Kate’s parents being on the Christmas guest list at Sandringham. “The Middletons have been very, very welcomed into the royal fold,” Nicholl said. “They have a very close relationship, and they had a lovely relationship with the late Queen [Elizabeth II].”
Carole and Michael attended the monarch’s funeral in September 2022. Since the queen’s death, Nicholl continued, they’ve formed “a good relationship” with King Charles III. They went to the king’s coronation in May 2023 with Kate’s siblings, Pippa and James Middleton.
Because Carole and Michael—and their children— “have been so pivotal and important this year”—they may get an invite to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the royal family. “I think it’s a very real possibility,” the author of The New Royals said.
There may not be enough room for Carole and Michael Middleton at Sandringham
So, what’s preventing a potential Christmas at Sandringham invite from going out to Kate’s parents? “Space” is “the problem with Sandringham,” Nicholl continued. Sure, the royal family has an impressive real estate portfolio filled with actual palaces, but when it comes to Sandringham, it’s more limited with 29 bedrooms.
“It sounds ridiculous. There’s not enough space, but why not?” she went on, noting how the family keeps growing. Royal commentator Jennie Bond echoed Nicholl’s comments, telling the Telegraph that Sandringham is packed with British royals at Christmas.
“It is beginning to become untenable to have the whole extended royal family under one roof at Sandringham,” she said. “Especially with Camilla’s family to consider as well,” Bond added in reference to Queen Camilla‘s son, Tom Parker Bowles, who received his first-ever Sandringham Christmas invite this year per the
The Middletons could stay at William and Kate’s home near Sandringham
No room at Sandringham doesn’t mean Kate’s parents will be forced to skip Christmas with the royal family. She and William have their own home, Anmer Hall, near Sandringham, which means Carole and Michael could stay there.
“Anmer Hall is only a stone’s throw from Sandringham,” Nicholl said. It’s not likely to be cramped quarters because, per Town & Country, Anmer Hall has 10 bedrooms.
Plus, staying at Anmer Hall would be convenient given William and Kate are reportedly planning a “rival” Christmas party to the one at Sandringham. According to The Daily Beast, Kate’s parents will attend the Wales family Christmas party which “will be notable for its studied informality.”
Even with the “loosen[ing]” of longtime Christmas rules by the king, the Anmer Hall bash is expected to be much more casual. Additionally, Christmas may end up being quiet for King Charles in light of his ongoing cancer treatment.
Wherever Kate’s parents stay, whether it’s Sandringham or Anmer Hall, it sounds like they’re in for a Merry Christmas.
