Queen Camilla breaks Christmas tradition with emotional plea to surprise guest

Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles has revealed his mum’s Christmas wish as the Royal Family starts preparing for their annual festive celebration in Sandringham

Queen Camilla’s son has revealed his mum’s emotional Christmas plea after a “hell of a two years”.

In a matter of weeks, the Royal Family will be heading to Sandringham for their festive celebration with King Charles and Camilla set to host relatives, including the Prince and Princess of Wales along with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. And according to Tom Parker Bowles, the Queen’s oldest child, Camilla has requested that he and his family also join in with the royal gathering this year. In previous years, Camilla has spent Christmas Day with the royals without her children Tom and Laura and her grandchildren.

However, according to Tom, although it is not ‘100 per cent’ confirmed, he does plan to take his family to Sandringham this year. He told The Telegraph that the invitation to go to Sandringham has always been there, but his mum specifically asked him to be there this year.

He 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.”

Tom says that he usually spends Christmas relaxing with his ex-wife Sara Buys and their two children Lola and Freddie meaning a Sandringham Christmas would be very different, although he says he’s not quite sure what to expect. He added: “I genuinely know nothing about it. I know there’s turkey and sprouts and church. And I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket.”

Christmas this year comes amid a year of health worries for the royals with the King still receiving his treatment for cancer and Camilla getting over the lingering effects of a bout of pneumonia.

In previous weeks, the King visited his Sandringham home to make sure it is ready to welcome the family to Norfolk for the festive holidays. Royal sources revealed how Charles had been touring the estate and main house, busy liaising with staff about Christmas plans.

A royal insider said: “The King is embracing the Christmas period already and really getting into the spirit. Staff who have seen him this week remarked how happy and healthy he was looking.” It is believed both the King and Queen have been enjoying spending time at the estate so much together that they are planning an extended festive break and will spend New Year’s Eve in Norfolk.

A source close to the King said: “His Majesty has taken great solace in being among nature and enjoying time outdoors throughout his cancer treatment. It’s something he believes has helped him incredibly throughout his ordeal. He is very much looking forward to spending quality time with as many of his close family as possible.”

Other family members expected to attend include the King’s embattled brother, Prince Andrew, despite being exiled from official royal duties in 2019 amid his association with the late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

Sources suggest the King has underlined his commitment to having the family united, especially over the Christmas period. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their two children, Lady Louise, 20 and James, Earl of Wessex, 16, are also expected to join. The King will host the traditional Christmas Eve black tie dinner where the family exchange presents, normally with a comical slant.

Charles and Camilla will travel to Scotland to stay in Balmoral in early January, while the King will undertake some private engagements at first, returning to public duties a week later.