Prince William is offering a rare glimpse into the royal family’s Christmas plans. During his visit with soldiers and their families in Bulford, Wiltshire, on Dec. 10, the Prince of Wales, 42, revealed details about the family’s upcoming Christmas gathering, including the massive guest list.
“We’ll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We’ll be 45 for Christmas. It won’t be quiet, it will be noisy,” he said during the outing.
William and Kate Middleton, 42, along with their three children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — are preparing to celebrate the holiday with King Charles and the majority of the royal family at Sandringham, the Norfolk estate that has long been the traditional Christmas gathering place for the royals.
The prince also admitted that with just days to go until the big day, he’s not prepared.
“Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready,” he said during a lively chat with soldiers from the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment.
Sgt. Sam Murray, who has served with the regiment for 20 years, spoke to William as his son Carson Heighway, drew his portrait.
“He asked what my children wanted for Christmas,” Sgt Murray said. “He said he is not organized himself.”
READ: Prince Louis Breaks Royal Tradition in Latest Family Outing
Leah St Clair-Lewis added her own observations, sharing that William spoke about “what he was up to for Christmas and enjoying walks with his dogs at Sandringham. “He said there will be 45 of them under one roof for Christmas,” she added. “He didn’t say whether that was just for one day or over the Christmas period. They must need a very long table.”
This year’s holiday season is expected to be especially poignant, as both Princess Kate and King Charles, 76, have faced significant health challenges. Kate revealed in September that her chemotherapy treatment for cancer, which began in February, had come to an end. Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer around the same time as Kate, is still undergoing treatment.
While the estate will be filled with extended royal family members, there will be some notable absences. A source tells PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not received an invitation to this year’s celebration. The couple, who are expected to spend the holidays in the U.S., have not joined the royal family for Christmas since 2018, the year of their wedding.
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