King Charles III begins Christmas at Windsor as royals arrive for first festive lunch without the Queen

King Charles III has welcomed the Royal Family to Windsor for lunch ahead of Christmas at Sandringham, marking his first time hosting the festive event as monarch. 

• King Charles III has been joined by the Royal Family at Windsor Castle for a pre-Christmas lunch before traveling to Sandringham for the big event this weekend. 
• His Majesty is hosting the festive gathering for the first time, following the Queen's death in September. 
• In other royal news, King Charles 'likely' to pay for Prince Andrew's private security after removing Harry and Meghan's.
  

The Royal Family has gathered together at Windsor Castle for a festive lunch ahead of their traditional Christmas trip to Sandringham, according to reports. 

King Charles III is hosting the special event at the Berkshire property for the first time, after succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September. 

It's understood that the monarch and his wife, Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrived at Windsor separately, having likely driven to the sprawling estate from either Highgrove House in Gloucestershire or Clarence House in London. 

They have been joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton, who moved to the nearby Adelaide Cottage last summer, and the couple's three children, Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and four-year-old Prince Louis. 

Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, have made the trip from Gatcombe Park, while Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex have traveled up from Bagshot Park with their nineteen-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor. 

Mike and Zara Tindall were also spotted driving into the grounds of Windsor Castle with their three children, Mia, 8, Lena, 3, and one-year-old Lucas. It's understood that the Royal Family will enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch at the Queen's former home before heading to Sandringham in Norfolk for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. 

Queen Elizabeth II had historically held the holiday lunch at Buckingham Palace, but the event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It's expected that the royals will make up for lost time at this year's feast, which will likely include traditional Christmas foods like turkey, roast potatoes, and pudding. The absence of Her Majesty, however, is unlikely to go unnoticed. The Queen made history as Britain's longest-ever serving monarch, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee just a few months before her death at the age of 96. 

"It will be hard, as the Queen was all they knew, like most of Britain," a former palace employee told PEOPLE. "The first year is most difficult, as it is always the first of everything that you notice."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not visit England for Christmas this year, despite having reportedly been invited to Sandringham by the King. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will instead spend their third Christmas in a row in California, where they will be joined by their two children, Archie, 3, and one-year-old Lilibet.