The rolling hills of Buckinghamshire, England, where the historic Welders House stands as a testament to enduring love and chaotic fame, played host to a profoundly emotional gathering on Christmas Day 2025. For the first time in decades, the Osbourne family celebrated the holiday without their patriarch, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. In a touching display of unity and resilience, 14 family members donned matching tartan pajamas—navy, red, and green plaid chosen by daughter Kelly Osbourne—and posed for photos that captured both joy and unmistakable sorrow. Shared on Instagram by Kelly, the images quickly went viral, resonating with millions who have followed the family’s triumphs and tragedies since the groundbreaking reality show The Osbournes premiered in 2002.
This Christmas was not just a celebration; it was a deliberate act of healing, a way to honor Ozzy’s memory while navigating the gaping void his absence left behind. As Kelly captioned the post, “Merry Christmas from The Osbourne family!!!,” the simplicity of the words belied the depth of emotion. Fans flooded the comments with heartfelt messages, from “Sending love to you all—this must be so hard” to “Ozzy is smiling down on this beautiful family.” In an era where celebrity grief is often performative, the Osbournes’ raw vulnerability struck a chord, reminding the world that even rock royalty faces the universal pain of loss.
Ozzy Osbourne’s death came suddenly, just 17 days after his triumphant final performance with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025—a farewell concert dubbed “Back to the Beginning” that reunited the original lineup for one last roar. The official cause was acute myocardial infarction, compounded by coronary artery disease and complications from Parkinson’s disease, which he had battled since his diagnosis in 2003 (publicly revealed in 2020). Surrounded by family at their Buckinghamshire home, Ozzy passed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that redefined heavy metal and a family forever changed.
The months leading to Christmas were marked by profound grief. Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s devoted wife of 43 years, has been candid about her devastation. In interviews, she revealed Ozzy’s final words to her—”Kiss me, hug me tighter”—a poignant moment that encapsulated their fiery, unbreakable bond. Kelly, 41, admitted to The Sun that her goal was simply “to get through the day without crying,” while reflecting on how Christmas would “never be the same.” The family chose to gather at Welders House, the Grade II-listed estate they purchased in the 1990s and returned to in 2022 after decades in Los Angeles. Notably, Ozzy is buried on the grounds, allowing the family to feel his presence even in absence.
The decision to wear matching pajamas was Kelly’s idea, a tradition meant to foster comfort and togetherness. “I organised the matching pyjamas myself,” she shared beforehand, “hoping to create a comforting, shared experience.” The photos show Sharon, 73, standing tall at the center, putting on a brave face with her signature red lipstick and sharp gaze. Flanking her are extended family members, including Ozzy’s eldest son Louis Osbourne (from his first marriage to Thelma Riley), his wife Louise, and their children Elijah and Maia. Kelly sits prominently with her husband, Slipknot’s Sid Wilson, and their three-year-old son Sidney, who brings a spark of innocent joy to the scene.
Other relatives captured include Jessica Osbourne and adopted son Elliot Kingsley, blending Ozzy’s children from both marriages into one frame of solidarity. Absent were Aimee Osbourne, the eldest daughter who has long shunned the spotlight, and Jack Osbourne, 40, who spent the holiday in Los Angeles with his pregnant wife Aree Gearhart and their daughters. Jack, fresh from appearing on the UK version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, planned to reunite with the family soon after.
The day itself embraced “a proper English Christmas,” as Kelly described. Louis took charge of cooking the feast—a nod to family tradition—while Kelly served as sous-chef. The menu likely featured roast turkey, Yorkshire puddings, and crackers, followed by watching the King’s Speech on television. Sharon received thoughtful gifts from Kelly, including a new puppy to fill the void left by her beloved Siberian Husky Elvis, who died in October, along with chocolates and gardening tools. These small gestures underscored the family’s effort to infuse normalcy into a day heavy with memories.
Ozzy famously “f***ing hated” Christmas, once joking he drank excessively to endure gift-buying for people he disliked. Yet he delighted in playful antics, like dressing as Santa to surprise (and sometimes scare) his grandchildren. This year, those stories were shared around the table, laughter mingling with tears. “We celebrated the traditions he loved most,” a family friend told reporters, “cooking together, recalling his playful side—honoring him with joy amid sadness.”
The Osbournes’ history is one of chaos turned iconic. From Black Sabbath’s groundbreaking heavy metal in the 1970s—albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality that shaped generations—to Ozzy’s solo triumphs with hits like “Crazy Train,” his influence is indelible. But it was The Osbournes that humanized them: Ozzy’s mumbled charm, Sharon’s fierce protectiveness, and the kids’ rebellious spirit captivated audiences, running for four seasons and spawning imitators.
Post-show, the family faced darker chapters: Ozzy’s substance battles, multiple surgeries (including a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003), and Parkinson’s progression. Yet Sharon stood by him, managing his career and advocating fiercely. Their return to England in 2022 was for quieter days, but Ozzy’s health declined rapidly. His final Black Sabbath reunion was miraculous—doctors warned he might not survive the stage, yet he delivered, seated on a bat-themed throne, voice strong as ever.
Christmas 2025 became a milestone in grieving. Kelly has spoken of how her father was “magical,” irreplaceable. “The person I was before doesn’t exist anymore,” she reflected. Sharon takes it “one day at a time,” finding solace in family and Ozzy’s graveside presence. The matching pajamas symbolized unity—a plaid armor against grief.
Public reaction was overwhelming. Tributes poured in from Metallica’s Lars Ulrich (“Ozzy was the blueprint”) to everyday fans sharing how Black Sabbath soundtracked their lives. Social media amplified Kelly’s post, with millions viewing the photos as a beacon of familial strength.
Broader reflections emerge: the fragility of legends, the power of tradition in mourning. The Osbournes, once reality TV’s dysfunctional darlings, now embody resilience. As 2026 dawns—with documentaries like Sharon and Ozzy: Coming Home and No Escape from Now chronicling his final years—the family carries forward.
In Buckinghamshire’s quiet estate, amid tartan-clad hugs and shared stories, the Osbournes proved love endures. Ozzy’s booming laugh may be silent, but his spirit—in grandchildren’s giggles, in heavy metal anthems, in a family’s unbreakable bond—lives eternally. This Christmas, plaid pajamas weren’t just festive attire; they were a embrace across the divide, a whisper that the Prince of Darkness watches over his clan, forever.
