Queen Camilla's children announce they won't be at Sandringham for Christmas

Speaking to The Telegraph about the build-up to Christmas in 2024, Camilla's son Tom Bowles explained: "My mum said, 'I'd love you to come, I haven't had Christmas with you for a long time.'

"It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it."

This year, though, Tom and Camilla's daughter, Laura Lopes, will not be at the King's Norfolk retreat.

"I'm not [spending Christmas at Sandringham]," Tom told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden.

He continued: "Nor is my sister. It'll be every other year, one year on, one year off."

The food writer said that he will be sleeping in the living room of his former wife, Sara Buys's, home.

He added: "It's back to the sofa at my ex-wife's."

In preparation for Christmas, the King avoided a fresh headache with his disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The former prince's reluctance to vacate Royal Lodge has left him unable to relocate to Sandringham ahead of this year's festive gathering.

Those within the King's circle regard this timing as rather "fortuitous", particularly as Andrew has not received an invitation to join the Christmas celebrations.

Should he eventually take up residence at Sandringham next year, the monarch may opt to shift the traditional royal Christmas gathering to Windsor Castle.

Such a move would echo the approach taken by Queen Victoria, who established the precedent of celebrating the festive season at the Berkshire residence.

Andrew has formally submitted notice to vacate Royal Lodge, though the minimum required period of 12 months means he remains responsible for the Windsor property throughout the coming year.

Following months of resistance, the duke appears disinclined to rush his departure.

Sources at Buckingham Palace maintain they anticipate Andrew will leave during the first three months of next year.

However, insiders suggest otherwise. "You're not going to see the removal vans outside Royal Lodge anytime soon," one source told The Times.

A lifetime's accumulation of luxury items and personal possessions must find a new home, including his well-documented collection of dozens of teddy bears.

Representatives acting on behalf of Andrew convened with the Crown Estate at Royal Lodge on November 12 to address the formal handover of the property.

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