Music : "Side Path" by Kevin MacLeod Royal Family Christmas Traditions
When it comes to Christmas, the royal family knows how to celebrate the holiday season in style. From a mouth-watering array of festive meals, to the heartwarming exchanging of personal gifts, the royals take Christmas very seriously. Now that Meghan Markle is officially a member of the royal family, here's what the Duchess of Sussex can expect when it comes to the royal family's Christmas traditions:
royal family Christmas traditions
Every family has got Christmas traditions, but these are another level
They send a LOT of Christmas cards
In fact, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
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The Queen does her Christmas shopping at Harrods
Harrods
While at 92, Queen Elizabeth probably now has help buying gifts for her loved ones
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All the Buckingham Palace staff are given gifts
Early in the year, all staff are given a choice between a gift token or a book token for their annual Christmas present from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
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They spend Christmas at Sandringham House
Sandringham House
The Royal family traditionally go to Sandringham House in Norfolk for their Christmas festivities instead of Buckingham Palace.
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The Queen hires an entire train carriage to get there
public train to King's Lyn to transport herself, Prince Philip and their immediate staff to Norfolk around a week before Christmas.
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The rest of the family arrives on Christmas Eve
The family members who are invited to spend the Christmas period with the Queen and Prince Philip at Sandringham are given a specific time to arrive on Christmas Eve. The most junior members will turn up first, and the most important - the likes of Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for example - will arrive last.
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They have two Christmas trees
"the Royal Family has a large Christmas tree and a large silver artificial tree in the dining room, which is about 30 years old."
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Partners of royal family members are only invited to join when they’re married
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nottingham what they wore
Except Meghan Markle, that is; who marked a departure from royal protocol when she was invited to Sandringham for Christmas last year following the couple's engagement announcement the month before. and neither was Zara Phillips' partner Mike Tindall
Last year, it's thought that Prince Harry asked his grandmother to make an exception to the rule for Meghan, due to her family home being so far away.
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Everyone finishes decorating the Christmas tree together
After gathering at Sandringham House on Christmas Eve
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They exchange Christmas gifts following afternoon tea on Christmas Eve
gifts are given on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. And apparently they like to give jokey presents
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Prince William and Prince Harry play an annual game of football against one another
The two Princes locals and Sandringham staff on opposing teams for a game of Christmas Eve football. socks of their favourite teams (William supports Aston Villa and Harry supports Arsenal) but in 2015, that of the local pub, The Black Horse Inn.
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There's a black tie dinner on Christmas Eve
it's "a relatively formal affair, with the men wearing black tie suits and the woman wearing gowns, expensive jewellery, and tiaras."
During the dinner, everyone enjoys a drink. The Queen's tipple of choice is reportedly a gin cocktail called a Zaza, while Prince Charles opts for cherry brandy. Princes William and Harry both go for a pint of Sandringham
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They all attend church on Christmas morning
Church of England, it's fitting that the royal family attend a Christmas morning service. Prince Philip - to St Mary Magdalene Church for a 45 minute service.
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They eat turkey for Christmas dinner
Christmas dinner
Just like the rest of us! The only difference being, theirs is cooked by a professional chef and is served along with the likes of lobster. "[After church] they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert," explained Darren McGrady. "They stick with the same meal year after year", he added.
In keeping with every other meal she eats throughout the year, the Christmas Day menu is written in French.
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The Queen pre-records her Christmas message
The Queen's Speech
Despite the fact the Queen's speech is broadcast to the country at 3pm on December 25th every year, the monarch actually pre-records it in the White Drawing Room or one of the other grand rooms at Buckingham Palace a few days before Christmas.
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They all sit down to watch the Queen's speech when it's aired on Christmas Day
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