Princess Anne’s son Peter Phillips opted to spend Christmas Day with the family of his fiancée, Harriet Sperling, rather than joining the traditional royal gathering at Sandringham this year.
The couple, who confirmed their engagement in August following a year together, chose a more private celebration after Ms Sperling had work commitments during the previous festive season.
Royal observers had anticipated that the NHS paediatric nurse might make her debut at the Norfolk estate alongside the wider family, but the pair instead kept things relaxed and away from public attention.
Ms Sperling first appeared publicly with Mr Phillips at the Badminton Horse Trials in May 2024, and subsequently joined him in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot in June.
Princess Anne’s son absent from King Charles’s Christmas celebrations ahead of royal wedding
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Their wedding is expected to take place next year, though no specific date has been confirmed.
King Charles and Queen Camilla headed the royal procession to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk estate for the annual Christmas Day service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, with Kate wearing a festive plaid Blazé Milano coat for the occasion.
Princess Anne arrived with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, while her daughter Zara Tindall and husband Mike brought their daughters Mia, 11, and Lena, seven.
The Royal Family at Sandringham in 2025 for Christmas
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present with Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended with their respective husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.
More distant relatives also participated, including David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon, accompanied by his children Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones and Charles Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was the most senior family member absent from the festivities, reportedly uninvited by King Charles amid ongoing controversy surrounding his connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Harriet Sperling and Peter Phillips posing beside each other at Wimbledon | PA
The King removed all royal titles, styles and honours from his 65-year-old brother in October following a series of scandals.
Sarah Ferguson was likewise not present. She was dropped by several charities in September after correspondence emerged in which she described Epstein as a “supreme friend,” despite having publicly distanced herself from him.
Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret’s daughter, was another regular attendee who did not appear this year. She had joined the gathering in 2024 with her husband and sons.
Despite speculation that Beatrice and Eugenie might skip the occasion given their father’s situation, both princesses took prominent positions in the procession.
Zara Tindall pictured at Sandringham with her daughter, Lena
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They walked closely alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, signalling their continued standing within the family.
Several younger royals remained at home rather than joining the walkabout. Lucas Tindall, aged four, was considered too young to accompany his older sisters.
Similarly, Eugenie’s sons August and Ernest, aged four and two, stayed behind, as did Beatrice’s daughters Sienna, four, and Athena, who turns one next month.