Queen Camilla’s Son Tom Parker Bowles Hasn’t Been to Royal Household Christmas (Unique)

The royal household could also be steeped in custom, however beneath King Charles and Queen Camilla, it now displays the fashionable realities of a blended household

Since their marriage 19 years in the past, following their extramarital affair and respective divorces—Charles from Princess Diana in 1996 and Camilla from Andrew Parker Bowles in 1995—they’ve introduced collectively a singular household, the place Camilla’s kids, Tom Parker Bowles, 49, and Laura Lopes, 46, are stepsiblings to Prince William, 42, and Prince Harry, 40.

“We dwell in 2024 and blended households – it’s a little bit bit completely different from the times of Victoria and Edward. In the event that they’re completely happy then we’re completely happy and that’s the place all of it begins from,” Camilla’s son, Tom, tells PEOPLE amid the discharge of his newest e book, Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III.

The Might 2023 coronation introduced Tom’s circle of relatives into the highlight, significantly his daughter Lola, 17, and son Freddy, 14, whom he shares with ex-wife Sara Buys. Freddy even performed a task within the ceremony as a web page, alongside others, together with Prince George. His kids have grown up near “Gaga and Uppa,” their affectionate names for Camilla and Charles. “They adore her,” he says. “They adore the King too. He has been a beautiful step-grandfather.” 

“We mix in and mix,” he continues. “In fact there’s the boys [William and Harry], and speaking of the broader household, Peter Phillips is a little bit bit youthful than me and I’ve grown up with him, and Zara [Tindall]. The York ladies [Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie] are two of the nicest ladies you’d hope to fulfill.”

But, regardless of stories final 12 months suggesting in any other case, Parker Bowles, 49, confirms he nonetheless hasn’t joined the royal household for his or her conventional Christmas gathering in Sandringham.

“We’re married in, we aren’t the royal household – I’ve by no means for one second mentioned that,” he says. “I discover everybody extremely good and pleasant and we’ve know all of them for an extended time. It does appear pure.”

“That’s to not say myself and the kids spend operating round palaces,” he continues. ““I’ve my very own job and the kids have faculty. I haven’t been to Christmas but for varied causes.”

Though they don’t spend Christmas at Sandringham, Camilla typically joins her kids and ex-husband for a post-holiday gathering.

“My mom and father are nonetheless nice associates and we are going to go down on December 27 and my mom will typically come,” Tom says. “It’s one thing to work in the direction of. It’s a maturity that may be a good thing if — regardless of a wedding typically not working –you possibly can hold it collectively for the sake of the kids and the sake of one another then it’s an excellent factor.”

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Reflecting on his personal cut up from Buys (the couple separated in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2022), he provides, “I’m divorced, however you get on together with your ex-wife for the sake of the kids, that’s what issues. My precedence is to ensure my kids are completely happy and protected and comfy – similar to another divorced father.”