Christmas day is spent with family and friends, under the cold cover of winter and enjoying the holidays together. Like every family, the Royal family of England also take their Christmas holiday seriously. On the day of Christmas, the take a break from their official duties and choose to celebrate the occasion in private. So what exactly happens on the annual holiday?
The Preparations: The family heads to celebrate the festival at the Queen's grand country home, Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk. The monarch and her husband Prince Philip usually head to the country about a week before Christmas, around December 21, to prepare for the family reunion.
The remaining family members arrive at the 20,000-acre estate from December 23, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall usually reaching the venue in the last. While all family members are invited to Sandringham House, Prince William and Kate usually stay in their own residence, Anmer Hall, which is located down the road from the House, Hello! Magazine reports.
The Family Reunion: On the eve of Christmas, the entire family gets together, the children of the royal family sit down to add finishing touches to the Christmas tree. At 8 pm on Christmas Eve, a family dinner is served with the ladies dressed in traditional gowns and men in black ties.
It's Time for Gifts: The presents are placed on a trestle table, in the Red Drawing Room and are opened at tea on the Eve of Christmas. Think the royals spend a lot of money on gifts? Not really. The gifts are looked at the sentiment and connection it has with one person rather than the money. Hello! Magazine reports that this year one of the many gifts that will find a place on the table is a white leather loo suit.
This year, there is said to be many presents for the children. Prince George, three, and 19-month-old Princess Charlotte and their little cousins Mia Tindall, who turns three in January, and Savannah and Isla Phillips, aged five and four, are going to have a memorable Christmas this year.
Christmas Celebrations: Vogue reports that the royal family attends two church services on Christmas morning. The first is a private family service at Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The second is a more formal public service, which begins at 11:00 am. Once they return from the prayer service, the family sits down for a turkey roast lunch which is followed by the Queen's Speech. The day comes to an end with the family enjoying a buffet Christmas supper, Hello! Magazine shares.
So the celebrations are limited to family members? Well, sort of. According to the Express UK article, two year ago the Queen hosted the biggest-ever family Christmas with 27 relatives. Her nephew Viscount Linley and niece Lady Sarah Chatto, their respective spouses and children were among the second-tier royals who were a part of the grand occasion. So this year, could we expect Meghan Markle to be joining the royal guest list? We have to wait and watch.
