With their latest move, Prince William and Kate Middleton risk angering King Charles

 

Prince William and Kate Middleton appear to have enraged King Charles III with their surprising choice just before Christmas.

The Prince and Princess of Wales chose not to attend the King's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace this week.

The couple's choice to skip the celebration has sparked heated controversy, with some royal insiders claiming the move would harm the monarch.

"It is another example of the couple's growing confidence when it comes to challenging some long-established traditions which they are widely believed to consider tiresome," a source familiar with the matter said.

There are also allegations that Charles, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, wanted the pair to join him and the rest of the family.

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A friend of Princess Catherine and Prince William disputed the courtier's account of events, adding, "It's certainly not a snub. They have had a busy year, and I don't think anybody can expect Catherine to efficiently host lunch for hundreds of people."

However, according to some royal sources, Kate and William have already begun their Christmas celebrations in Norfolk earlier than normal.