By Katherine Tinsley
1:50pm PDT, Oct 8, 2025
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King Charles III's former butler
Grant Harrold revealed how the festive season will look different this year.
"After the fire at Windsor Castle, the royal family was forced to relocate their Christmas holidays from Windsor to Sandringham," Harrold told
OLBG. "The trip to Norfolk has been a part of their annual diary ever since, but I think the King may make another change and bring Christmas back to Windsor Castle."
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"If not this year, in the near future. I think this could be another big change that the King brings in," Grant Harrold continued. "The King has already made big changes to the summer holiday plans, showing he's not afraid to adapt things to make it work better for how the family runs in 2025."
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The royal family has been celebrating Christmas in Norfolk for several years, but returning to Windsor could be another opportunity to honor Queen Elizabeth II and past royals. "It's a lot easier for them to have Christmas at Windsor; it's much closer for all of them. It's where the King's parents and grandparents are laid to rest, so it's very special to him," Grant Harrold explained. "However, the King does like Sandringham. If he doesn't go at Christmas, he won't be back there for several months. So only time will tell."
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Queen Elizabeth spent a lot of time at Windsor, where
Prince William and
Kate Middleton currently live with their three kids, before her passing. "I think Windsor will become their full base going forward," Grant Harrold predicted. "The late Queen Elizabeth II made Windsor Castle her official residence after the COVID pandemic."
"Partly because she'd spent a lot of time there, but also because of the renovation works at Buckingham Palace," Harrold added.
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King Charles III now resides at Clarence House after leaving Buckingham Palace behind. "The King is hardly using Buckingham Palace at all now. While Buckingham Palace is under renovation, I think there's more to it than that. Being a traditionalist, the King loves Windsor," Grant Harold said.
"He's been doing a lot at Windsor for years, especially in the gardens. Windsor is becoming more of an 'official' residence of the King," he added. "It's where all the big events are taking place."
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Kate Middleton and
Prince William are also shaking things up, as they're relocating to Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park. "The Prince and Princess of Wales moving in very nearby adds to this theory, especially as it's said to be their 'forever home,'" Grant Harrold said. "I think William will use Windsor as his official base as well."
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"They will, of course, still use London for certain events, but I think it will become like Palaces elsewhere in Europe, where it's more of a visitor and historical place," Grant Harrold continued.
