The British Royal family is famed for its customs, and Christmas is no different. With recent news that Prince Harry has introduced a new rule for his children during the festive period, we take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the Christmas traditions that have been shared by members of the Royal family, staff, and experts over the years.
Weigh-in at Dinner
Guests invited to Sandringham for dinner are reportedly asked to step onto a set of antique scales before and after their meal, a tradition that harks back to King Edward VII’s reign. The King wanted to ensure that all his guests had been “well fed”. Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine and a Royal commentator, confirmed this practice as recently as 2018, reports the Express.
Gifts Galore
In one of their most relaxed and publicly known traditions, the royals make it a point to give each other the cheapest, quirkiest gifts they can find. Prince Harry described the experience in his memoir ‘Spare’ as a raucous “free-for-all” where everyone dives into heaps of presents simultaneously – a custom that stems from their German roots.
Some of the royals’ Christmas traditions come from their German roots(Image: Getty)
Black-tie Dinner
Following the evening’s gift exchange, the family members leave behind any semblance of disorder and prepare for a formal black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve. This is another nod to their German heritage, which traditionally celebrates the main festive meal on the 24th, unlike the English custom of having it on the 25th.
Football Match
Online sources reveal that Princes William and Harry have a tradition of playing football on the Sandringham Estate with workers and friends on Christmas Eve. An insider even shared that Prince Harry’s team would don Arsenal’s colours, while Prince William’s side sported Aston Villa socks.
Church Service
Like many families, the royals kick off Christmas Day by attending church. For them, it’s reportedly compulsory to attend the service at St Mary Magdalene Church, where crowds gather hours beforehand to watch the family’s communal walk.
During the Christmas football matches, teams used to be split between William and Harry(Image: Getty)
Christmas Trees
The Windsors don’t limit themselves to just one Christmas tree; they typically erect three fir trees in the Marble Hall and both a main tree and an artificial silver one in Sandringham, according to former Royal chef Darren McGrady. It’s also rumoured that the youngest members of the family are tasked with decorating the trees, which have been adorned with corgi-themed ornaments at least once in the past.
Charades After Lunch
Perhaps their most famous Christmas tradition, the Windsors convene after lunch on Christmas Day for a game of charades. A staple of the Royal Christmas festivities, the game is a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II and serves as a post-lunch relaxation activity for the family.