Kate Middleton was not in attendance for King Charles III annual Christmas lunch on Thursday (December 19), and was never expected to be present in the first place.
According to People, Middleton was not the only one to skip the yearly event as Prince William and their three children, Prince George, 11,ย Princess Charlotte, 9, andย Prince Louis, 6, were also not in attendance.
The royal family previously made arrangements to spend Christmas at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and the Prince and Princess of Wales got an early start on their travels, causing them to miss the lunch.
While Middleton, Prince William, and their three children were not present for the annual meal, a handful of royal family members did make it to the event including the King's younger brother Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. People mentioned that Prince Andrew declined his invitation to the annual lunch, along with his wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, due to the Duke's "suspected connectionย to an alleged Chinese spy."
The beloved holiday event is held right before Christmas each year, and was a tradition started by King Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
For more news regarding the Prince and Princess of Wales, read: Prince William Revives Old Hobby That Fills Kate Middleton With 'Horror'.