The Royal Family have arrived at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s annual Christmas lunch.
The traditional feast gives the monarch an opportunity to spend time with her wider family before the holidays begin, particularly those who do not join her in Norfolk on December 25.
Prince Andrew and Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence were among the first guests to arrive.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed behind with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The festive feast usually seats more than 50 family members and no official photographs are released from the event.
Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester and Lady Amelia Windsor are all among the family members set to join in on the fun.
Last year, the Duchess of Sussex made her debut attendance following the announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry.
She smiled from the passenger seat, next to her now husband, wearing a high-necked lace dress by Self Portrait with her hair down.
This year’s lunch will also be particularly exciting as two new family members will have seats at the table.
The youngest of the Cambridge clan, Prince Louis, will make his debut, as well as Princess Eugenie’s husband, Jack Brooksbank, who married into the family on October 12.
This year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with George, Charlotte, and Louis, will be celebrating Christmas in Norfolk, despite previous reports that they would be spending the day with the Middletons.
It comes amid rumours of a rift between the Cambridges and Sussexes, following the announcement Meghan and Harry will be moving away from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor next year.
According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, the royal family have a rather delicious-sounding day ahead of them on December 25.
In an interview with Good Housekeeping, he said that the family have a hearty breakfast before heading to church – and then they come back to an epic lunch.
He said: "After church, that’s when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert."
The family then gather round at 3pm like we regular folk do to watch the Queen’s speech.
After that, McGrady said they then gather again in the evening "where a buffet dinner with 15-20 different items awaits them".
It is always a buffet with the chefs at the table carving.
He also revealed that the Queen has a real penchant for chocolate, particularly the dark and minty variety.
Apparently "she always has a chocolate treat on Christmas".
It has been previously revealed what the each member of the royal family’s favourite tipple is.
The Queen is said to love nothing more than a cocktail called the Zaza, made from Dubonnet and gin, so she may be indulging in a few of those on Christmas day.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles reportedly prefers cherry brandy or a 50/50 martini made from gin and dry vermouth, Philip is an avid beer lover and Camilla likes a G&T.
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