A new Channel 5 documentary is set to reveal the secrets of Buckingham Palace's winter traditions, including the annual diplomatic reception, elaborate decorations and the King's Christmas cards.
The show, A Year at Buckingham Palace: Winter, takes viewers behind the famous palace gates to show how the royal household prepares for the colder months. Among the revelations is a rather intriguing festive tradition: every member of staff receives a Christmas gift.
Staff gifts and a surprising pecking order
The preview teases that there may be more to the annual gift-giving than meets the eye, raising questions about who receives what. One contributor recalled: "My boss remarked, 'Oh, she did think a lot of you.' Who knew there was a pecking order even in gifts?"
As Christmas approaches, the palace's very own post office faces an enormous task as sacks of cards arrive from Commonwealth countries around the world.
Preparations behind the scenes
Staff prepare for the annual diplomatic reception, the palace's largest indoor event of the year, while selecting the perfect Christmas tree, decorating the historic State Rooms and planning seasonal menus.
Viewers will also discover how a portrait is chosen for the King's Christmas cards and get a glimpse inside the palace's little-known wine cellar. Life behind the gates doesn't stop when the Royal Family heads to Sandringham for Christmas, with dedicated staff caring for the palace's priceless silver, artworks and the King's ceremonial robes.
Four-part series
The four-part documentary series follows life at Buckingham Palace throughout the seasons, with palace insiders sharing stories about everything from private family gatherings to the meticulous preparations required for major state occasions.
The previous episode explored the palace's busy summer calendar, including Trooping the Colour, royal garden parties and the King's Birthday Honours. It also showed how chefs, gardeners, florists and housekeepers prepared for thousands of guests and more than half a million summer visitors.
Among the summer revelations were how the palace's bees produce hundreds of jars of honey each year, the secrets behind the perfect royal afternoon tea and how the King's commitment to sustainability influences everything from seasonal menus to the palace's rose garden.
A Year at Buckingham Palace: Winter airs on Channel 5 on Saturday, September 26, at 9.15pm.
