Harry's forgotten Christmas Eve tradition with William that came to abrupt end
Another Christmas season is upon us - and it seems the long-running feud between Prince William and Prince Harry shows no signs of ending any time soon.
The two men will spend the festive season on opposite sides of the Atlantic with their families after a dramatic 2023, which saw Harry's memoir Spare makes several accusations against his brother, including that he physically attacked him. But separate Christmas celebrations for the brothers weren't always the case - they used to spend every festive season at Sandringham with the Royal Family. And they used to share a very competitive but now sadly abandoned tradition every year on Christmas Eve.
Princes William and Harry will not be spending Christmas together (Martin Meissner/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The feuding pair used to kick off Christmas with the other royals by taking part in a charity football match with friends and staff from the Sandringham estate. William and Harry would usually be on opposing teams for the game, which was played on a pitch opposite the 12th-century home of Tory peer Lord Greville Howard.
The matches over the years saw them battle conditions including heavy wind and rain, with one year William appearing on the pitch in socks from his beloved Aston Villa and Harry being on the end of a tackle that saw him brought to his knees. However, in 2016 the football tradition came to an end when neither brother turned up for the match - despite both being invited to play in it.
Harry taking part in the football match in 2015 (FameFlynet.uk.com)It is believed William missed out as he spent Christmas that year in Berkshire with his wife Kate's family alongside Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Lord Howard said at the time: "They were not expected. One does not like to ask why, but they have enjoyed playing in previous years."
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Just hours before the game was due to kick-off, it was revealed that their cousin Zara Tindall had suffered a devastating miscarriage. Their Christmas Eve football tradition has not restarted since and due to the rift between them, it doesn't look likely to return.
This year, William will be spending Christmas at Sandringham with Kate, George, Charlotte, and Prince Louis as King Charles hosts the second festive season of his reign. Meanwhile, Harry is thought to be spending Christmas with his wife Meghan Markle, and their children Archie and Lilibet at their home in California.
William and Harry usually played on opposing teams (Splash)Royal Christmases usually feature a morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church, the greeting of well-wishers, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.
Charles has pre-recorded his second Christmas Broadcast as monarch, where he will no doubt reflect on the last year as well as his historic Coronation back in May. Traditionally, members of the royal family sit down to watch the televised address when it airs after lunch, usually at 3pm on December 25.
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