We are in the heat of Christmas party season, and it would appear the Royal Family is not spared from the stresses that a packed itinerary of weeknight engagements involves. The Queen held her staff Christmas party on Monday night (which a special guest—one Meghan Markle—crashed), and on Wednesday night, Kensington Palace threw its own staff Christmas party. Though, as is practice for many offices worldwide, the palace decided to have its soiree at a separate location, renting out “exclusive dinner venue” Beach Blanket Babylon in the Notting Hill area.
Kate and William were photographed getting into a car after the party. Harry and Meghan were also, per the Daily Mail, in attendance, though they were not photographed exiting (they reportedly left earlier than Kate and William). This means, yes, we are still waiting for our first photograph of all four of them together—though we will likely get it over Christmas, when Meghan joins the family in Sandringham. Can you imagine being at your office Christmas party and finding yourself behind William in coat check or waiting at the bar next to Meghan? Do you try to make small talk? Do you scroll Instagram and try not to look up, in an attempt to avoid the encounter altogether? Do you acknowledge the oddness of the situation (“So I posted an Instagram Story of you at a gala once for the Kensington Royal account, but I’m sure you don’t remember me . . .”)?
One would imagine the palace would throw an insanely swanky affair for its Christmas party, but it would appear, if the Daily Mail is to be believed, that this was only somewhat the case. Attendees reportedly had to bring their own alcohol to the event due to the venue’s license having been revoked (the upstairs ballroom of the Babylon can reportedly be secured for about $8,700). So yes, that’s right, an already-stressful event (an office holiday party) made more stressful by the guests of honor (the Duchess of Cambridge!!!!) but without an open bar. It really makes one’s own holiday party anxieties seem far less significant.
