As the Royal Family continues to evolve, Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly set to scrap a Christmas tradition that has been around for years

King Charles has often spoken about his desire to modernize the monarchy, and it’s thought that Prince William is eager to introduce even more drastic changes.

One Royal tradition that could be on the chopping block is the well-known Christmas Royal procession to church. The family has been privately attending Christmas services at St. Mary Magdalene Church for years, but Queen Elizabeth II made the walk a public event during her reign.

Since the early 1980s, it has become a staple in the Royal calendar. However, according to the Daily Mail’s Ephraim Hardcastle column, this could soon be a thing of the past.

A Royal insider suggests that the Prince and Princess of Wales are considering adopting a Christmas routine common among couples with children – alternating between spending the holiday with each set of grandparents. It’s reported that they plan to spend every other Christmas break with the Middletons, reports the Express, reports the Mirror.

The King and Queen may go their separate ways immediately after Christmas ( 
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(Image: Getty))
Queen Camilla reportedly “beats a hasty retreat to Wiltshire after Christmas to host her own family celebration,” marking another significant departure from the traditional Royal family Christmas. The King is expected to head to his Scottish estate in Birkhall after the traditional Boxing Day shoot, unlike his mother who spent the Christmas and New Year period in Sandringham for the last four decades of her reign.

Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe shared insights with OK! Magazine about the changing dynamics within the Royal Family, particularly since Prince Harry’s move to the USA. “It’s a long-running tradition for the family to exchange joke gifts at Christmas, so there’s always a lot of laughter at Sandringham,” he explained.

“In the past, Prince Harry used to be the biggest joker,” Larcombe noted, “but now I imagine it’s Charles, who has a very strong sense of humor.”

He went on to say: “Sometimes we imagine the royals are all very serious, but they like a good giggle like most families. Charles once said having a sense of humor is what keeps him sane, and so sharing joke presents helps lighten the atmosphere when things can otherwise be quite formal.”

Since 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not spent Christmas with the Royal Family, and it’s expected that Prince Andrew will “honorably withdraw” from Royal Family events during the festive season to avoid any distractions.