The Prince and Princess of Wales made their return to the Royal Family's traditional pre-Christmas gathering at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, accompanied by Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The Wales family had been absent from last year's festive lunch as the Princess of Wales was still undergoing cancer treatment at the time.
Instead of attending the 2023 celebration, they had travelled early to Norfolk to spend the holiday period at their Anmer Hall residence.
This year's gathering brings together approximately 70 of the King's extended relatives for the annual event, which typically occurs about a week before Christmas Day.
The Waleses made their return to the festive lunch at Buckingham Palace
|GETTY
The lunch provides an opportunity for family members to reunite, particularly those who will not be present at Sandringham for the traditional Christmas Day festivities and church service.
The Princess of Wales chose a striking red dress for the occasion, accessorised with a black bow in her hair and Van Cleef earrings valued at £6,300.
Princess Charlotte coordinated with her mother, sporting her own hair bow paired with a burgundy ensemble.
Among the other royals spotted arriving at the palace were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who attended alongside their daughter Lady Louise Windsor.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also present at the gathering, with Eugenie adding a playful touch to her outfit with candy cane-shaped earrings.
The sisters appeared in good spirits as they drove through the palace gates, despite having recently declined an invitation to Kate's Christmas carol concert to avoid drawing attention amid their father's ongoing difficulties.
Princess Kate and Charlotte donned festive wear as they attended the event with around 70 members of the royal family
|GETTY
Noticably absent from the family gathering were Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife Sarah Ferguson.
While his relatives enjoyed the festivities at Buckingham Palace, the disgraced royal was spotted riding alone on horseback through the wet grounds of Windsor.
The solitary outing stood in stark contrast to the warmth of the family celebration taking place across London.
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Andrew's exclusion from royal events has become increasingly apparent following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which led to him being stripped of his titles.
His daughters, however, continue to maintain their positions within the family, with the King reportedly remaining fond of his nieces despite the scandal surrounding their father.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor did not attend the event as was seen riding a horse in the rain in Windsor
| PAThe move from his 30-room Royal Lodge has already begun, with some of his belongings reportedly being transferred into storage as he prepares to downsize.
The former Duke of York was compelled to surrender the lease on his grand residence after losing all his titles in October.
His diminished status was further underscored recently when his Vice-Admiral rank in the Royal Navy was revoked, leaving him with the reduced rank of Commander.
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