<p id=”par-1_31″>Members of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/royal-family/?swcfpc=1″>the royal family</a> make their annual walk to church service every <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/christmas/?swcfpc=1″>Christmas</a> morning and greet crowds of well-wishers who have gathered to see them at Sandringham in Norfolk. </p>
<p id=”par-2_45″>In 2024, no one noticed anything out of the ordinary as <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/king-charles/?swcfpc=1″>King Charles</a> and the Princess of Wales (<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dont-be-fooled-this-is-what-kate-middleton-was-really-like-in-school.html/”>formerly known as Kate Middleton</a>) were seen smiling and waving to everyone along the way. But within weeks both would be hospitalized and diagnosed with cancer. </p>
<p id=”par-3_32″>Now, someone who used to work for the monarch and princess is claiming that they must have thought something was wrong then but did their best to hide it from everyone. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-king-charles-and-kate-s-former-aide-believes-they-knew-things-weren-t-quite-right-last-year”>King Charles and Kate’s former aide believes they knew ‘things weren’t quite right’ last year </h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kate-Middleton-and-King-Charles-III-attend-the-Christmas-Morning-Service-at-Sandringham-Church-1.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Kate Middleton and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church” class=”wp-image-3753013″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kate Middleton and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church | Samir Hussein/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_60″>Grant Harrold was King Charles’ butler from 2004 to 2011. His duties included not only that of butler but also valet, housekeeper, house manager, and driver. During his time working for then-Prince Charles, he also looked after his wife (<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/camilla-parker-bowles-was-fired-from-her-posh-job-before-she-married-prince-charles.html/?swcfpc=1″>formerly known as Camilla Parker Bowles</a>), his sons Prince Harry and Prince William, and William’s then-girlfriend Kate whenever they stayed at Highgrove House. </p>
<p id=”par-5_35″>Harrold believes this Christmas holiday is going to be different from last year as there may have been some fear a year ago regarding the king and Kate’s health that they kept to themselves. </p>
<p id=”par-6_56″>Speaking on behalf of <a href=”https://www.slingo.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Slingo</a>, Harrold opined: “This year will be different for the royal family from last year as I’m guessing that both Charles and Catherine knew things weren’t quite right. And while they would’ve put on a brave face, there would’ve been some uncertainty there as they didn’t know what the future would hold.</p>
<p id=”par-7_56″>“But it seems, God willing, that both are on the road to recovery so it should be more ‘normal’ for them and more of a celebratory one. But the main thing for them is that they will want to be with family and friends, just like everyone else, and have good health for the following year.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-royal-expert-says-this-year-will-be-extra-special-to-king-charles-for-another-reason”>Royal expert says this year will be extra special to King Charles for another reason</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kate-Middleton-and-King-Charles-III-speaking-while-standing-on-the-balcony-of-Buckingham-Palace-during-Trooping-the-Colour-1.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Kate Middleton and King Charles III speaking while standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour” class=”wp-image-3753009″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kate Middleton and King Charles III speaking while standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour | Karwai Tang/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
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The Royal Family’s ‘Weird’ Christmas Tradition That Kate Middleton Is More Than Ready to Scrap </a>
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<p id=”par-8_32″>In addition to being on the road to recovery following his diagnosis and treatment, this Christmas will be very special to King Charles for another reason, according to a royal commentator. </p>
<p id=”par-9_39″>Former BBC correspondent Jennie Bond explained that the monarch and Camilla are expected to welcome 45 guests to Sandringham for the holidays including Tom Parker Bowles and other members of the queen’s family who have never celebrated Christmas with the royals. </p>
<p id=”par-10_58″>Bond told <a href=”https://www.ok.co.uk/royal/royal-familys-biggest-ever-christmas-34313539″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>OK!</a> magazine: “After the year they’ve had, I’m sure it’s going to mean the world to the king and queen to have as many of their family as possible joining them for Christmas. And, as the number of youngsters increases, the celebrations become more and more child-oriented, which is exactly what Christmas should be all about.</p>
<p id=”par-11_38″>“I’m sure this will be a Christmas when the whole family will want to unite around Charles and Camilla, and William and Catherine, to help put this year behind them and cheer them into a brighter year ahead.”</p>