Will and Kate Bring George Along For a Big Royal Tradition

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge helped Queen Elizabeth II kick off the Christmas season on Wednesday when they joined a number of other royals for the queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Other guests included Prince George (who arrived with his parents, of course), Prince Harry, and Princess Beatrice, as well as a number of other members of the royal family. The queen's special lunch was created to allow her to celebrate the holiday season with the more distant royal family members, most of whom aren't invited to her Sandringham estate on Christmas Day, which is reserved for the core family. That means that Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Prince Harry will soon be on the move again closer to Christmas Day to celebrate with the queen and the princes' father, Prince Charles. On Thursday, with her luncheon officially wrapped up, the queen took the train to King's Lynn, where she will prepare the holiday festivities ahead of her guests' arrival.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drove up to the palace.

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Prince Harry wore a suit for the pre-Christmas lunch.

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Princess Beatrice arrived at Buckingham Palace.

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On Thursday, the queen arrived at King's Lynn station to head to Sandringham.