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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17:  (L to R) Tom Parker Bowles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Laura Lopes attend the launch of the "Fortnum & Mason Christmas & Other Winter Feasts" cookbook by Tom Parker Bowles at Fortnum & Mason on October 17, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Fortnum & Mason) © Dave Benett/Getty Images for For

Did King Charles' stepchildren celebrate Christmas at Sandringham this year?

Her Majesty has two kids from her first marriage


DECEMBER 26, 2024 12:37 PM EST

Queen Camilla reportedly had her children and grandchildren with her on Christmas. While they did not walk with the royal family to St Mary Magdalene Church, Her Majesty's son Tom Parker Bowles and daughter Laura Lopes—from her first marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles—are said to have attended the morning service. HOLA! USA's sister brand HELLO! understands that the Queen's family made a private arrival.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 05: (L-R) Laura Lopes, Queen Camilla and Tom Parker Bowles attend the launch of new book "Cooking & The Crown" by Tom Parker Bowles at The Audley Public House on September 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)© Dave Benett/Getty Images
Queen Camilla has two children from her first marriage: Laura Lopes and Tom Parker Bowles

Ahead of Christmas, Tom revealed in an interview with The Telegraph, published on Dec. 7, that his mother had asked him to celebrate the holiday with her. "My mum said ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time,'" he told the outlet. "It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it."

The Queen's son also revealed that he usually spends Christmas with his ex-wife, Sara Buys, whom he shares daughter Lola and son Frederick with. "For the past 15 years it has been: I go back to my ex-wife’s house, sit in my tracksuit bottoms, go to the pub while the beef’s in, then try to get my children to watch The Wild Geese. Classic," Tom shared. "So this would be a bit different."

SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK - DECEMBER 25: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Queen Camilla, Princess Charlotte of Wales, King Charles III, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)© Samir Hussein/WireImage
Her Majesty's children reportedly celebrated their first Christmas at Sandringham this year

According to The Telegraph, Tom said that the invitation has always been there, but his mom specifically asked him to come this year. Tom's stepfather, King Charles, was diagnosed with a form of cancer earlier this year, while it was announced in November that his mother, Queen Camilla, had a chest infection.

In his annual Christmas message, King Charles expressed his thanks to doctors and nurses . "From a personal point of view, I offer special heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength care and comfort we have needed," His Majesty said. "I am deeply grateful too to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement."