Many households share quirky Christmas traditions that may depart new in-laws scratching their heads — however the royal family’s customs might take the crown for being essentially the most eccentric of all.
Regardless of vital adjustments 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 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 might be absent this 12 months — and it’s unclear how his change of plans will affect his shut family members.
King Charles and Queen Camilla traditionally lead the family on a walk to church
Getty Images
What does the royal family do on Christmas Day?
Darren McGrady, a former chef to the Queen, previously revealed to the Mail on Sunday that Christmas Day starts with a hearty fry-up breakfast for the male members of the family downstairs. Meanwhile, most of the married women traditionally opt for something lighter, which is brought 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. Mr 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”.
Television isn’t part of the royal family’s Christmas Day, except for watching the King’s speech — previously the Queen’s
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. However, 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
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. The present-giving was reportedly 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 is that Prince Harry reportedly once gave the late Queen a shower cap that had “ain’t life a bitch” emblazoned on it.
Reportedly, Princess Diana didn’t initially get the brief about the cheap gift rule and gave the family cashmere sweaters on Christmas Eve in 1981. However, the following year, she gave Sarah Ferguson — Prince Andrew’s then-wife — 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 guests his guests ate well. Today, the tradition is reportedly continued on a pair of antique scales.
Take a property tour: the Royal family’s homes and palaces
What’s the dress code for the royal family at Christmas?
On Christmas Eve, there’s a black-tie dress code for dinner, while the ladies wear hats for church on Christmas Day.
For the Boxing Day shoot, it’s a country-casual vibe — think Barbour jackets and plus fours.
How many Christmas trees are involved?
For British royalty, Christmas trees truly 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. However, 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 royal estate in Windsor) and a 20-foot tree at Windsor Castle. But at Sandringham, things are a little more laid back — Queen Elizabeth II was said to have liked having a single tree put up which the children were encouraged to decorate on Christmas Eve.
