Many households share quirky Christmas traditions that may depart new in-laws scratching their heads — however the royal household’s customs might take the crown for being probably the most eccentric of all.
Regardless of vital modifications lately — together with the deaths of Queen and Prince Philip, and Prince Harry and Meghan’s relocation to California — the royal household stays steadfast in upholding their cherished traditions.
From joke items and weigh-ins to black-tie dinners, this is what the household will get as much as.
Who will get invited to Christmas at Sandringham?
The complete Sandringham line-up used to incorporate the Queen, Prince Philip and their 4 kids — Prince Charles as he then was, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. Then there have been the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, together with Prince William — and Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prolonged household, together with Andrew, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, their husbands and mom, Sarah Ferguson, have been additionally at Sandringham in 2023 and joined the household at church on Christmas Day morning.
Nevertheless, Andrew shall be absent this yr — and it’s unclear how his change of plans will impression his shut family members.
It seems like one other diversion from custom is on the playing cards too, with studies suggesting Camilla has invited her kids and grandchildren.
King Charles and Camilla traditionally lead the family on a walk to church
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What does the royal family do on Christmas Day?
Darren McGrady, who used to be the Queen’s chef, previously told the Mail on Sunday that Christmas Day begins with a fry-up breakfast for the male members of the family downstairs, while most of the married women traditionally have something lighter brought up to their rooms.
The family then walks to St Mary Magdalene church at 11am for the Christmas morning service.
After church, the family sits down to Christmas lunch. McGrady claimed the menu features “salad with shrimp or lobster [followed by] roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert”.
They do not watch TV on Christmas Day, except to watch the King’s, and previously the Queen’s speech.
On Boxing Day, there’s a pheasant shoot. It had previously been reported that the animal-loving Duchess of Sussex had asked Prince Harry to withdraw from this tradition, but the Telegraph more recently quoted a “well placed” Kensington Palace source who told the paper this was “completely untrue”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children (Josh Shinner/Kensington Palace/PA)
PA Media
What do the royal family do about Christmas gifts?
On Christmas Eve, the family lay out their gifts on a trestle table in the dining room. Apparently, the present-giving was traditionally presided over by the late Prince Philip.
Cheap and joke gifts are encouraged. Rumoured previous presents include a singing hamster given by Meghan to the Queen, which she reportedly adored, a white leather loo seat given to King Charles by Princess Anne, and a grow your own girlfriend kit given by Catherine to Prince Harry.
Our favourite gift story of all? Prince Harry apparently once gave the late Queen a shower cap that had “ain’t life a bitch” emblazoned on it.
Apparently, Princess Diana didn’t initially get the brief about the cheap gift rule and gave the family cashmere sweaters on Christmas Eve in 1981. Though the following year she gave Sarah Ferguson – Prince Andrew’s wife at the time – a leopard print bath mat.
What’s the strangest royal family tradition of all?
Majesty editor Ingrid Seward told Grazia that royal family members are traditionally weighed before and after their Christmas dinner.
She says the weigh-in began with King Edward VII, who wanted to make sure his guests ate well. Today, the tradition is apparently continued on a pair of antique scales.
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What’s the dress code for the royal family at Christmas?
On Christmas Eve there’s a black tie dress code for dinner, while for church on Christmas Day the ladies wear hats.
For the Boxing Day shoot, it’s a country casual vibe – think Barbour jackets and plus fours.
Just how many Christmas trees are involved?
For British royalty, Christmas trees really are a family tradition. Queen Charlotte, the German wife of King George III, is believed to have set up the first Christmas tree at Queen’s Lodge in Windsor in 1800, though they became widely popular in Queen Victoria’s reign, after her German husband Prince Albert popularised them in 1848.
There are several lavish Christmas trees at Buckingham Palace (grown on the Queen’s estate in Windsor) as well as a 20-foot tree at Windsor Castle. But at Sandringham, things are a little more laid back – the Queen was said to have liked having a single tree put up which the children were encouraged to decorate on Christmas Eve.