Inside Royal Family's Christmas traditions including one thing every family will relate to
Have you ever wondered how the royal family celebrate at Christmas? We take a closer look inside their Sandringham festivities - and some of their unusual traditions
Christmas is a time for families and loved ones to come together. And the same is true for the royal family, who annually gather together at Sandringham in Norfolk to celebrate the festive season. But what goes on behind closed doors on December 25?
The monarch and his family are known to take part in a number of traditions - from when they open presents, through to the games they play, and the food they are served. We take a closer look…
A sporty start
In the past, Prince William and Prince Harry would go head to head in a game of football on Christmas Eve with other members of the family and staff. That tradition is unlikely to go ahead this year given the brothers' fractured relationship, but William might instead involve his three children, George, Charlotte, and little Louis in the annual kickabout.
Black tie dinner
Royal tradition also sees the royals attend a black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve, where the Queen's favourite cocktail, the "Zaza" was reportedly served in previous years. It's a glamorous affair; the royals dress in their finery and enjoy a pre-dinner martini before sitting down for a delicious four-course feast, said to include a starter, a beef main, dessert and a cheese course.
Christmas Eve gifts
Another usual tradition means that the royals exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve rather than the following day, in honour of the family's German heritage The present-giving takes place following afternoon tea on the 24th - and the family are known to give fun, jokey presents rather than anything lavish. Writing in his memoir Spare, Harry revealed: "We were at Sandringham in a big room with a long table covered with white cloth and white name cards. By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place, stood before our mound of presents. Then suddenly, everyone began opening at the same time. A free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper."
Christmas Day feast
Much like the rest of us, Christmas Day involves a lot of food at Sandringham! After a full cooked breakfast, the family head out together to attend the annual Christmas Day church service, where they meet and greet well-wishers.
Then its home for a traditional turkey roast with all the trimmings "Usually it was homemade sage and onion stuffing, Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts, sometimes parsnips and carrots – it varied year to year – mashed potatoes and roast potatoes, homemade gravy, then Christmas pudding with brandy sauce," former royal chef Darren McGrady told the BBC.
"Later in the day there would be afternoon tea, and that always included a chocolate Yule log, a Christmas cake made by the chefs in the kitchen and a selection of chocolatey pastries."
A special toast
On the subject of royal chefs, Darren has also revealed that the late Queen would oversee a unique custom to honour the person behind the royal family's festive feast.
Following Christmas lunch and ahead of the buffet, the senior chef is called into Sandringham's dining room to carve a rib roast, turkey or ham. Darren told Tatler that this is the only time the duty chef can go into the dining room - but they would receive a special nod for doing so. Her late Majesty would present the chef with a special glass of whiskey before including him in a toast with the rest of the royal family.
TV and games
Charles Anson, former press secretary to the late Queen, previously revealed the royals will also sit down for some family fun. "[There is] a long tradition of Christmas and party games – and things like charades have always been popular with the Queen – that started during the war when they were holed up at Windsor and couldn’t go out because of the air raids," he told the Independent.
It's thought that charades takes place after the Christmas lunch - and before the family sits down to watch the monarch's annual Christmas Day address to the nation.
According to former royal butler Paul Burrell, however, the late Queen preferred not to watch herself on TV, revealing that she would instead take the dogs out during her speech.
King Charles, meanwhile, enjoys putting on some "traditional" Christmas Day activities for all the royals. Paul explained: "In the hallway, there is a table with a wooden jigsaw puzzle which everyone has a go at over the period. It's very homely with a huge log fire and they all thoroughly enjoy it. I think the King enjoys the tradition and familiarity."