As the Royal Family prepares to gather at Sandringham next month for their traditional Christmas celebrations, a long-standing rule governing the younger members is set to be observed once more. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will join the wider family for the festivities, but they will not be seated with their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for the main Christmas lunch.
The Nursery Dining Tradition
This practice, which separates royal children from adults during formal meals, is a custom steeped in history. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who served both the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has explained that the youngsters eat with their nannies in the nursery until they are deemed old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table.
"It was Victorian," McGrady told Harpers Bazaar. "The children's place was in the nursery and Nanny would take care of them. It's your modern-day Downton Abbey." He noted that for the Queen, there was never a high chair at the table, ensuring formal meals remained undisturbed.
Confirmation from Within the Family
The tradition was corroborated by Mike Tindall, husband to Princess Anne's daughter Zara, who described the setup during the large pre-Christmas family lunch held at Buckingham Palace. In a 2019 episode of his podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, Tindall revealed that while he was seated at then-Prince Charles's table, the children had their own.
"The kiddies have their own little one in a different room," he said, referring to a separate table. This event typically brings together around 70 extended family members across multiple tables, with the younger generation dining apart.
A Festive Feast at Sandringham
The Christmas celebrations at the Norfolk estate are a deeply rooted tradition. Staff would often reside at Sandringham from December 22 until after New Year, with the royal family ensuring they also enjoyed a full festive experience. The Christmas Day menu, as detailed by McGrady, is a classic British feast:
- A full cooked breakfast to start the day.
- Roast turkey with all the trimmings for lunch.
- Homemade sage and onion stuffing, Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts, and both roast and mashed potatoes.
- Christmas pudding served with brandy sauce for dessert.
The day begins with the family attending church after having opened their presents on Christmas Eve, a practice the late Queen favoured.
While the Sandringham Christmas brings the family together, the dining rule for the youngest Wales siblings underscores the enduring nature of royal protocol. It is a custom that prioritises decorum, echoing practices from generations past, and one that George, Charlotte, and Louis will follow until they are older.
