![Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco pose with Père Noël in the courtyard of the Palais Princier during the annual Christmas gift distribution, December 20, 2023 (Eric Mathon/Palais Princier)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday02.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! No matter how you celebrate, I’m thinking about you this time of year and hoping that you have a brilliant and wonderful holiday season. As we all celebrate with family and friends in our own homes, here’s a look at some of the festive celebrations that the royals have been taking part in this December.
![King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom's Christmas card, featuring a portrait by Hugo Bernand from their coronation day, is pictured on a festive palace staircase, December 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday05.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom released their annual Christmas card earlier this month. It features a portrait of the two of them, taken by Hugo Bernand, on their coronation day back in May.
![King Charles III of the United Kingdom laughs with Father Christmas during a visit to Ealing Broadway Christmas Market, December 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday19.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The King and the Queen have both been celebrating with the British public this month as well. Here’s King Charles joshing with Father Christmas during a visit to Ealing Broadway Christmas Market.
![Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom welcomes children from Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity to Clarence House to decorate the Christmas tree, December 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday20.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Queen Camilla held one of the most joyful annual royal events again this December: a special reception at Clarence House for children from Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, during which they all pitch in to help decorate a Christmas tree.
![Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom visits Childrens Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm site, where she joined children in decorating a Christmas tree, December 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday18.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Queen Camilla also helped to decorate another Christmas tree at Childrens Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm site this month.
![Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom attends the Maggie's Centres carol concert at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on December 7, 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday21.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
And she attended a special carol concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, benefitting Maggie’s Centres.
![The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are pictured in their Christmas card portrait, December 2023 (Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday04.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
The Prince and Princess of Wales also released their annual Christmas card portrait, a traditional black-and-white image that also features Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
![The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, attend the Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 8, 2023 (Chris Jackson/PA Images/Alamy)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1208-01-abbey02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1298&ssl=1)
The five Waleses were in attendance earlier this month at the Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, along with numerous members of the extended royal family.
![The Duchess of Edinburgh joined Ukrainian refugees at a Christmas party at The Lighthouse, a volunteer-led charity, in Woking, December 2023 (Buckingham Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday17.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Duchess of Edinburgh was in Woking this month for a special Christmas party at The Lighthouse, where she was joined by refugees from Ukraine.
![Queen Margrethe II of Denmark sets up her Advent wreath at Fredensborg Palace on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday15.jpg?resize=1200%2C684&ssl=1)
Across the sea in Denmark, the entire royal family has been getting into the holiday spirit. The royal court is sharing little moments of Christmas joy this month in a digital Advent calendar. One of the first installments showed Queen Margrethe II setting up her Advent wreath at Fredensborg Palace.
![Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark lights candles on the family's Advent wreath on the second Sunday of Advent, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday27.jpg?resize=1200%2C1499&ssl=1)
Each Sunday since, the lighting of the Advent candles has been featured. In a little nod to the line of succession, Crown Prince Frederik lit the candles on the second Sunday of Advent…
![Prince Christian of Denmark lights candles on the family's Advent wreath on the third Sunday of Advent, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday16.jpg?resize=1200%2C685&ssl=1)
…and Prince Christian was pictured lighting the candles on the third Sunday of Advent.
![Queen Margrethe II of Denmark wraps Christmas gifts in a guest room in Amalienborg Palace, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday09.jpg?resize=1200%2C680&ssl=1)
We’ve also gotten a few more glimpses of Christmas preparations inside the Danish palaces. Queen Margrethe II was shown decorating gifts in a special present-wrapping station that she installed in a palace guest room.
![Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, with Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, and Princess Josephine, decorate their family Christmas tree in the Riddersalen at Frederik VIII's Palace in the Amalienborg complex, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday14.jpg?resize=1200%2C684&ssl=1)
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were shown decorating their family Christmas tree with their four children at Frederik VIII’s Palace.
![Prince Vincent of Denmark joins the family's chef in making holiday treats to be served at a reception for the Mary Foundation, November 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday10.jpg?resize=1200%2C681&ssl=1)
We also saw their younger son, Prince Vincent, pitching in to help the family chef make desserts for a Mary Foundation holiday reception.
![Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, with Count Henrik and Countess Athena, are pictured having a festive holiday dinner at their home in Washington, D.C., before traveling back to Denmark for Christmas, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday08.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark are heading to Denmark with their children to celebration Christmas, but first they showed us a photograph of a Christmas dinner celebration in their home in Washington, D.C.
![Princess Benedikte decorates a Christmas tree with ornaments from her personal collection at Christian VIII's Palace in the Amalienborg Complex, December 2023 (Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday07.jpg?resize=1200%2C1500&ssl=1)
And inside Christian VIII’s Palace, Princess Benedikte was pictured hanging ornaments from her personal collection on a Christmas tree.
![Queen Silvia of Sweden is joined by her grandchildren as she receives Christmas trees at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on December 18, 2023 (Jonas Ekströmer/Kungahuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday25.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
In Stockholm, Queen Silvia was surrounded by family as her 80th birthday celebrations approached. On December 18, she was joined by all eight of her grandchildren—Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, Prince Alexander, Prince Gabriel, and Prince Julian, and Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne—to receive the traditional Christmas tree delivery at the Royal Palace.
![Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, with Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, pose for a holiday portrait, December 2023 (Philip Bergman/Kungahuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday26.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel also released this new holiday portrait of their family.
![King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, with Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus, pose for a Christmas portrait, December 2023 (Cornelius Poppe/NTB/Kongehuset)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday28.jpg?resize=1200%2C960&ssl=1)
In Oslo, the Norwegian royal family posed during their traditional Christmas portrait session. King Harald V and Queen Sonja were joined by Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus for the pictures. (Crown Princess Mette-Marit has COVID and had to stay back this year.)
![King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, with Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore, are pictured on their annual Christmas card, 2023 (Belgian Royal Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday24.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Belgian royal family also released their family Christmas card portrait, taken earlier this year.
![King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians make a holiday visit to the Françoise Schervier House, December 2023 (Belgian Royal Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday22.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
There were festive visits on the December calendar, too, including a stop at the Françoise Schervier House for King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
![King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, with Princess Elisabeth, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore, attend the annual Christmas concert, December 2023 (Frédéric Andrieu/Belgian Royal Palace)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday23.jpg?resize=1200%2C799&ssl=1)
The King and Queen were joined by three of their children—the Duchess of Brabant, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eleonore—for the annual royal Christmas concert and reception.
![King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, with Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, are pictured on their annual Christmas card, 2023 (Casa Real)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday06.jpg?resize=1200%2C856&ssl=1)
The Spanish royal family released their Christmas card portrait, which features an image taken in October during the Princess of Asturias’s birthday celebrations.
![Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg visit Kannerland in Limpertsberg on December 6, 2023 (Cour Grand-Ducale)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday29.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
In Luxembourg, the holiday celebrations included a special appearance by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie on St. Nicholas Day. They made a holiday visit to Kannerland, a center for disadvantaged children and young people, in Limpertsberg.
![King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, with Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Princess Ariane, and Mambo, pose at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague during their annual holiday photo session, December 2023 (Koninklijk Huis)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday01.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
At Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, the Dutch royals posed for their annual holiday photos. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were joined by all three of their daughters, plus the family pup, for the pictures.
![Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, with Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, pose for their annual Christmas card portrait, December 2023 (Eric Mathon/Palais Princier)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&ssl=1)
And finally, here’s a look at some of the Christmas cheer out of the principality of Monaco. This year Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene released a particularly glamorous Christmas card, featuring their two children and some major diamonds.
![Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco participate in the annual Red Cross Christmas gift presentations, December 2023 (Eric Mathon/Palais Princier)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday11.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene also took part in the traditional Red Cross gift distribution in Monaco this month.
![Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, with Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, hand out Christmas gifts in the courtyard of the Palais Princier on December 20, 2023 (Eric Mathon/Palais Princier)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023-1224-holiday12.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
And last week, they were joined by their nephew and niece, Louis Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, for a festive celebration and gift presentation in the courtyard at the Palais Princier.
Happy Holidays from me to all of you, magpies! I hope your December celebrations have been and will be magical this year. I’ll be back here at some point on Tuesday, December 26th with a look at the jewelry worn by the British royals on Christmas Day. See you then!
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