Family traditions
It’s an event that takes five months of preparations and is planned like a military operation, but how exactly do the Windsors celebrate?
ALL TOGETHER
The family traditionally spends Christmas on the Sandringham Estate
Sandringham Estate
Every year since 1988, other than when COVID restrictions prohibited it, the Royal Family has decamped to the 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to celebrate the festive period. With thousands of fairy lights and baubles dating back to Queen Victoria’s day, the country retreat is decorated ready for a royal knees-up.
’ Twas the night before Christmas
The family honours its German heritage by sitting down for an afternoon tea before exchanging gifts. In the evening, the adults change into fancy frocks and Windsor coats for a black-tie dinner.
Gifts galore
They may be one of the wealthiest families in the world, but the royals keep Christmas gifts rather tame, partaking in gag gift-giving, competing as to who can hand out the most comedic present. One year (before the days of the Duchess of Sussex), Catherine, Princess of Wales reportedly gave Prince Harry a ‘Grow Your Own Girlfriend’ kit. Other examples apparently include Anne, Princess Royal buying her brother King Charles III a white leather toilet seat, and Prince Harry gifting his late grandmother a shower cap emblazoned with the words ‘ain’t life a b***h’. Royal pets aren’t left out, with the late Queen’s former footman Paul Burrell revealing he wrapped toys and doggy chocolate for the corgis.
WALK ABOUT
The Royal Family often takes a brisk walk to church on Christmas Day
FULL OF CHEER
Like the rest of us, they dress up, exchange gifts and enjoy a tipple
The big day
What’s Christmas Day without a special breakfast? The ladies are said to take croissants and coffee in bed, while the men gather for a full English buffet in the dining room. The whole family comes together for the 11 o’clock service at the St Mary Magdalene Church, with many walking to the church, meeting hundreds of well-wishers along the way.
Dinner is served
It’s the meal we all look forward to, a
