Unexpected Moments Mark King Charles III's Royal Christmas Lunch — 10 Photos

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.

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.

In contrast, 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.

However, the unexpected appearance of certain royals was not the only surprise that captured public attention.

Online, one recurring topic of conversation was 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 backdrop of 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.