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In a first, Prince George took part in the Sandringham football tradition, filling Prince Harry’s role amid ongoing family tensions.
Britain’s William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte leave the St. Mary Magdalene’s church, on the day of the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service, as the Royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
For the first time ever, a young prince from the UK’s royal family has replaced Prince Harry in a festive tradition at the UK royals’ Sandringham Christmas celebration. Reports confirm that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan were once again absent from the festivities at Sandringham this year while everyone else attended the festivities.
Each year, the UK royals celebrate Christmas at their Sandringham Estate, a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth and continued by King Charles III. As part of the festivities, the royals play a pre-Christmas football match with workers and villagers from the estate. The last time this tradition took place was in 2018, when Prince Harry participated in the match. That year also marked his marriage to Meghan Markle and the last time the couple spent Christmas with the royal family.
This year, since Prince Harry was not invited to the Christmas festivities by King Charles III, he was absent from the Sandringham football match. Instead, Prince George took part in the match alongside his father Prince William for the first time.
Some royal insiders said that it allowed Prince William to bond with his eldest and spend some quality father-son time.
“It just looked like healthy father-and-son bonding time. There were other children playing and it was all good fun and light-hearted,” the insider was quoted as saying by The Sun.
“It is nice that they have returned to take part in the traditional game as they haven’t done so for years. (It is) interesting (that Prince Harry) has now been substituted for Prince George,” they further added.
Prince George, 11, the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, played in the football match with his father. The father-son duo was supported by Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who cheered from the sidelines.
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London, United Kingdom (UK)