Many households share quirky Christmas traditions that may go away new in-laws scratching their heads — however the royal household’s customs may take the crown for being essentially 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 stay steadfast in upholding their cherished traditions.
From joke items and weigh-ins to black-tie dinners, here is what the household will get as much as.
Who will get invited to Christmas at Sandringham?
The total Sandringham line-up used to incorporate Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and their 4 youngsters — 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, had been additionally at Sandringham in 2023 and joined the household at church on Christmas Day morning.
Nonetheless, Andrew will likely be absent this yr — and it’s unclear how his change of plans will affect his shut kin.
It appears like one other diversion from custom is on the playing cards too, with studies suggesting Camilla has invited her youngsters and grandchildren.
King Charles and Queen Camilla historically lead the household on a stroll to church
Getty Photos
What do the royal household do on Christmas Day?
Darren McGrady, a former chef to the Queen, beforehand revealed to the Mail on Sunday that Christmas Day begins with a hearty fry-up breakfast for the male family members downstairs. In the meantime, a lot of the married ladies historically go for one thing lighter, which is delivered to their rooms
The household then walks to St Mary Magdalene church at 11am for the Christmas morning service.
After church, the household sits all the way down to Christmas lunch. Mr McGrady claimed the menu options “salad with shrimp or lobster [followed by] roasted turkey, and all your conventional facet dishes like parsnips, carrots, brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert”.
Tv is not a part of the royal household’s Christmas Day, aside from watching the King’s speech — beforehand the Queen’s
On Boxing Day, there is a pheasant shoot. It had beforehand been reported that the animal-loving Duchess of Sussex had requested Prince Harry to withdraw from this custom. Nonetheless, the Telegraph extra just lately quoted a “well-placed” Kensington Palace supply who informed the paper this was “utterly unfaithful”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their youngsters
PA Media
What do the royal household do about Christmas items?
On Christmas Eve, the household lay out their items on a trestle desk within the eating room. The current-giving was reportedly historically presided over by the late Prince Philip.
Low-cost and joke items are inspired. Rumoured earlier presents embrace a singing hamster given by Meghan to the Queen, which she reportedly adored; a white leather-based lavatory seat given to King Charles by Princess Anne; and a grow-your-own girlfriend package given by Catherine to Prince Harry.
Our favorite present story of all is that Prince Harry reportedly as soon as gave the late Queen a bathe cap that had “ain’t life a bitch” emblazoned on it.
Reportedly, Princess Diana did not initially get the temporary concerning the low-cost present rule and gave the household cashmere sweaters on Christmas Eve in 1981. Nonetheless, the next yr, she gave Sarah Ferguson — Prince Andrew’s then-wife — a leopard-print bathtub mat.
What is the strangest royal household custom of all?
Majesty editor Ingrid Seward informed Grazia that royal relations are historically weighed earlier than and after their Christmas dinner.
She says the weigh-in started with King Edward VII, who wished to visitors his visitors ate effectively. Immediately, the custom is reportedly continued on a pair of vintage scales.
Take a property tour: the Royal household’s properties and palaces
What’s the gown code for the royal household at Christmas?
On Christmas Eve, there is a black-tie gown code for dinner, whereas the women put on hats for church on Christmas Day.
For the Boxing Day shoot, it is a country-casual vibe — suppose Barbour jackets and plus fours.
What number of Christmas bushes are concerned?
For British royalty, Christmas bushes actually are a household custom.
Queen Charlotte, the German spouse of King George III, is believed to have arrange the primary Christmas tree at Queen’s Lodge in Windsor in 1800. Nonetheless, they turned extensively common in Queen Victoria’s reign, after her German husband Prince Albert popularised them in 1848.
There are a number of lavish Christmas bushes at Buckingham Palace (grown on the royal property in Windsor) and a 20-foot tree at Windsor Fortress. However at Sandringham, issues are a bit extra laid again — Queen Elizabeth II was mentioned to have preferred having a single tree put up which the youngsters had been inspired to embellish on Christmas Eve.
