The Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch is the royal family’s most private public moment. Once a year in the week before Christmas, the monarch gathers dozens of relatives for a daytime meal that extends beyond the core Sandringham circle. Cars sweep through the gates, photographers capture the briefest glimpses, and then the doors close.
The tradition dates back decades under Queen Elizabeth II and continues under King Charles III. It typically brings together around 40 to 50 family members who will not spend Christmas Day at Sandringham. Pandemic years 2020 and 2021 saw the lunch cancelled in line with restrictions in the United Kingdom. The event returned in December 2022, and again in 2023, with arrivals photographed in the third week of the month.
What the Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch is and why it matters
At its core, the lunch solves a simple logistical challenge : the royal family is large, and not everyone fits into the Sandringham plans on 25 December. The pre‑Christmas meal lets the monarch host the wider family – cousins, grandchildren, in‑laws – for a single, inclusive gathering.
Tradition put the venue at Buckingham Palace, whose 775 rooms easily accomodate big family events. During ongoing palace works, recent editions have also used Windsor Castle while keeping the same format and timing. Either way, the moment functions as a family catch‑up, not a state occasion.
Interest tends to spike because the lunch is one of the rare times many lesser‑seen royals appear together. The gridlock of blacked‑out Range Rovers, short hello waves through the glass, a quick glimpse of children in the back seat – that is the ritual people recognise each December.
Dates, guest list size and location : King Charles III’s updated routine
Past patterns point to the third week of December, midweek, with arrivals late morning and departures early afternoon. Media photographed the family driving in on 18 December 2019. There was no lunch in 2020 or 2021. Photographers again recorded convoys in the week before Christmas in 2022 and on 20 December 2023.
Who attends changes each year. Extended family usually features, including relatives from branches descended from King George V and Queen Mary. The Wales family, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Royal’s children have been seen in separate cars, aligning with normal royal travel protocols.
Under King Charles III, the ethos remains similar to the late Queen’s approach : a family event, not a court spectacle. Renovation work at Buckingham Palace prompted Windsor Castle to host more in recent years, yet the term “Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch” still anchors public search and interest.
Inside the menu : turkey, trimmings and respected protocol
Former royal chef Darren McGrady has described the festive staples long served to the royal household at Christmas, including roast turkey with traditional trimmings, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes and a rich Christmas pudding set alight at the table. The pre‑Christmas lunch follows that classic British pattern, scaled for a crowd and tailored to individual dietary needs.
This is daytime entertaining, so dress codes match the hour : day dresses, suits, simple coats for arrivals. Place cards manage seating. Dishes follow a set order that keeps service moving. Staff coordinate timings so families with young children are not waiting, a real‑life detail that explains the smooth comings and goings seen in photos.
Alcohol appears modestly at lunchtime compared with evening banquets. Protocol steers toward family ease rather than ceremony. Phones stay out of sight. No speeches. The point is togetherness before the split to Norfolk for Sandringham and to private homes elsewhere.
How to follow the luncheon from outside : photos, timing and common myths
Curious observers watch for patterns rather than announcements. The royal household does not trail the lunch in advance. Instead, live agency feeds and picture desks pick up arrivals around midday, either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, depending on the year.
Security sits tight but visible at the gates. Photographers usually position on public pavements by the entrance used that year. Outbound traffic starts early afternoon, which is why edited photo sets often publish mid to late afternoon on the same day.
Several myths persist. This is not a state banquet. It is not open to friends of friends. Invitations reflect family ties and availability, not public role. One more point : the lunch does not replace Christmas at Sandringham, it complements it.
At a glance, here is what consistently checks out :
- Timing : third week of December, midweek, late morning arrivals, early afternoon departures.
- Venue : traditionally Buckingham Palace; Windsor Castle used during palace works.
- Scale : around 40 to 50 family members from across royal branches.
- Food : classic British festive menu, as outlined by former royal chef Darren McGrady.
- Visibility : brief car arrivals only; no official photos from inside.
For searchers using “déjeuner de Noël Buckingham Palace”, the essentials are simple. Expect the lunch the week before Christmas, expect short arrival shots, and expect a family‑first format that stays off the record. The continuity makes sense : one gathering, once a year, so everyone gets a seat at the table before the Sandringham focus on 25 December.