With royal Christmas at Sandringham just around the corner, those invited to the festivities will be preparing their outfits for the celebrations – but it seems the Princess of Wales once had a regret over one of her choices

King Charles is preparing to host one of his biggest Christmas celebrations ever with 45 royals expected at Sandringham for celebrations.

The festivies range from formal to fun, with a black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve and after-dinner games after a turkey feast on Christmas Day. One part of royal Christmas that fans particularly love is the annual walk to church on Christmas morning, which also sees the Firm greet wellwishers who turn out to see them. In recent years, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been joined by their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the outing, along with the rest of the family. Four years ago during the walk, it appeared that Kate colour-coordinated the family’s outfits, and they all looked very smart in dark green.

Kate Middleton on Christmas Day in 2019 ( 
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)

Kate wore a heavy Catherine Walker coat ( 
Image:
WireImage)And while fans around the world loved their style, it turns out that Kate really regretted her outfit choice for the day, and even told one well-wisher she “really shouldn’t have worn it”. She looked stunning in a heavy grey Catherine Walker coat, with a green hat, bag and heels. But during a quick chat with 19-year-old fan Rachel Anvil, she admitted it was the wrong choice for the unseasonably warm weather.

Rachel’s mum told Metro : “Kate was talking to my daughter about clothes and how she was feeling too hot, she said ‘I really shouldn’t have worn this’. I’m there talking to Charlotte about dolls and my daughter’s talking about fashion with Kate. It wasn’t fake it was a genuine discussion, it was about a minute but it was tailored to my daughter, it was like speaking to a friend.”

Royal Christmases usually feature a morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church, the greeting of well-wishers, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.

The royals are set to head back to Sandringham this Christmas ( 
Image:
PA)Earlier this week, Prince William hinted at just how big the festivities are shaping up to be telling guests at a party he will be celebrating the big day with around 45 relatives. Last month, the King travelled to Sandringham, where the royals traditionally celebrate the big day, to see how his Norfolk home is being prepared for the big day.

A royal insider said at the time: “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.”

In an interview, Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles confirmed his mum had requested that he and his family also join in with the royal gathering this year. This would mean invitations for Tom and his children Lola and Freddie as well as for Camilla’s daughter Laura, her husband Harry and their three kids Eliza, Gus and Louis.

However, two royals who are not expected at the big bash are the King’s estranged son Prince Harry, wife Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It was revealed earlier this month that they will not be returning to the UK for Christmas as they have not received an invite for this year’s get-together at Sandringham, according to a source close to the couple.