Christmas is a time for family — and that's no different even for families of royalty. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe's royal families have had to alter their famous traditions in 2020. Here's how they'll all be spending the holidays.
The British Royal Family to celebrate a divided Christmas
For the British royals, Christmas is spent annually with the entire family gathered at the Sandringham Estate. But this year, due to restrictions, everything will be different. Unable to travel to the UK, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry will spend the holidays at their home in California with little Archie and Meghan's mother Doria.
In the UK, Queen Elizabeth will celebrate with her husband Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. But rather than the usual gathering, they will host only Prince Edward with his wife Sophie and their two children, according to Express. The Queen is said to be "very sad" about not being able to celebrate Christmas with the whole family.
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Europe's Royal Families adjust Christmas plans in 2020
The Danish Royal Family will also spend the holidays apart, the palace has announced. Queen Margrethe II will have Christmas with her son Prince Joachim, his wife and their four children at Schackenborg Castle. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary will spend the holidays with their children at Amalienborg.
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As for the Swedish royals, Princess Madeleine will spend Christmas with her husband Chris O'Neill and their three children at home in Florida. Queen Silvia therefore will be without at least one of her children. Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Carl Philip will likely pay their mother a visit, because Dec. 23 is also her birthday.
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Instead of the annual trip to Argentina, the Dutch royals Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will remain at home this year. The family tends to visit Máxima's mother at Christmas, but that won't do because of the pandemic, according to De Telegraaf. This year, they'll gather at the Het Oude Loo castle in Apeldoorn.
Finally, the exiled former King Juan Carlos is due to receive a visit from his homeland this Christmas. As El País reported, his daughters Cristina and Elena want to travel to Abu Dhabi with their children to celebrate with their father. King Felipe and Queen Letizia will remain in Spain.
For more on royalty, see the Queen's reunion with Prince William and Duchess Kate here.
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