Prince Louis' heartbreak as major festive debut cancelled days before Christmas

Prince Louis’ first ever Christmas Day appearance will sadly no longer go ahead…

Prince Louis attends a special pantomime performance at London's Palladium Theatre
(Image credit: Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Louis has faced heartbreak this year as a significant festive appearance has been cancelled days before he was set to make his highly-anticipated Christmas Day debut. 


Prince Louis might be just three years old but as one of the Queen’s great-grandchildren and the son of the future king, he’s still one of the most prominent royals. Fans are always delighted to catch a glimpse of Prince Louis and his older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Though these appearances are generally few and far between, as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s parenting style is said to favor raising their children to have a “normal” life. 

One moment fans look forward to all year when it comes to the Queen and the extended Royal Family appearing together, however, is Christmas Day. Apart from eagerly anticipating Kate Middleton’s Christmas Day outfits, the royals’ annual walk to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham is also an opportunity to get a rare glimpse of some of the younger family members. 

This year it was expected that Prince Louis could finally join his parents and siblings for his Christmas Day debut, though unfortunately, this will no longer be the case.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, attend a special pantomime performance

(Image credit: Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Last year the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated Christmas at Windsor Castle during the pandemic rather than traveling to Norfolk. In 2021, it was expected that Her Majesty would host Christmas at Sandringham again as the royals mark the first festive season since losing the Duke of Edinburgh. 

However, plans have since changed and the Queen has cancelled Sandringham Christmas and will instead remain in Berkshire, where she’ll reportedly be visited by relatives over the festive period. Sadly this also means that the Sandringham Christmas Day church walk will also no longer be going ahead. 

Whilst Prince Louis unfortunately won’t get to join his proud parents and siblings on the highly-anticipated walk for the very first time after all. The last time the Royal Family gathered en masse in Norfolk and walked to church on Christmas Day was back in 2019, when he was just over a year old. Back then it was believed he was considered too young to accompany the rest of the Cambridges.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attend the Christmas Day Church service

(Image credit: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Now at three years old and having started nursery school earlier this year, it was thought that Prince Louis is now old enough, if plans for celebrating at Sandringham had gone ahead. It’s not yet known whether the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children will be amongst the family members visiting the Queen at Windsor Castle at Christmas. 

However, looking ahead to Christmas 2022, if the monarch does go on to host the celebrations in Norfolk, Prince Louis could spread Christmas joy to fans and make his exciting Christmas Day walk debut with the other royals.  

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!