The festive season is a time of cherished rituals for families across the UK, and the Royal Family is no exception. Each year, they gather at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for a Christmas steeped in history. However, it has emerged that the younger generation are beginning to put their own stamp on these age-old customs.
A German Tradition Upended
One of the most enduring royal Christmas traditions, introduced by Prince Albert, is the exchange of gifts on Christmas Eve. Following afternoon tea, the family engages in a festive free-for-all, as described by Prince Harry in his memoir Spare, with everyone opening their presents simultaneously amidst great excitement.
Yet, this particular custom was quietly broken by the Wales children. On December 25, 2018, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, revealed to a well-wisher outside the church at Sandringham that Prince George and Princess Charlotte had been "up very early" that very morning to open their gifts. This admission hinted that the Cambridge children, at least, were celebrating present-opening in the more conventional British manner on Christmas Day.
Practical Parenting and Playful Gifts
When it comes to selecting presents for their own children, the Prince and Princess of Wales are known for their pragmatic approach. Royal author Katie Nicholl has noted that while George and Charlotte are tech-savvy, their parents are cautious about screen time and extravagant gifts, often opting for more practical items.
This contrasts with some of the more humorous gifts exchanged within the wider family over the years, which have included a leather toilet seat for King Charles and a shower cap bearing a cheeky message for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Full Festive Schedule at Sandringham
The gift exchange is just one part of a meticulously planned Christmas Eve. The day typically features a black-tie cocktail reception and a formal dinner. Christmas Day itself is centred around a classic feast. Former royal chef Darren McGrady detailed a menu of roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding and a chocolate Yule log at afternoon tea.
Entertainment is a key part of the celebrations, with charades being a long-standing favourite since the war years. The family also partakes in a communal jigsaw puzzle, a tradition King Charles is said to particularly enjoy. The festivities culminate with watching the monarch's Christmas broadcast, though the late Queen reportedly preferred to walk her dogs during her own speech.
The revelation about George and Charlotte's Christmas morning highlights how even the most established traditions can evolve with a new generation, blending the royal family's rich heritage with the simple joys of a modern family Christmas.
