Ever since 1988, the Royal Family have celebrated the festive season at Sandringham, in a modern tradition first started by the late Queen Elizabeth. During the 1960s the Firm often preferred to spend Christmas and New Year at Windsor Castle, however 35 years ago the castle was being rewired and the family made the decision to return to Norfolk for the holidays.
In December the royals descend on Sandringham for a busy few days of family time, with King Charles and Queen Camilla likely to be arriving first a few days before Christmas.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip used to arrive in Norfolk in mid-December, with up to 70 extended family members later joining them for the seasonal festivities.
Here Express.co.uk analyses the Christmas period at Sandringham hour by hour, with a strict schedule governing the big day, just as it does at all royal occasions.
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Former royal butler Grant Harrold explained that the late Queen would normally arrive at Sandringham before Christmas Eve, around December 18, to make sure the house was ready, however King Charles does things slightly different from his mother.
Speaking on behalf of Slingo he said: “He’s [King Charles] based at Highgrove and will be spending as much time there as he can. I think he will go up to Sandringham ahead of Christmas Eve. He might go from Sandringham to Balmoral to Birkhall and then back to Sandringham over Christmas and New Year.”
Most of the family arrive on Christmas Eve, where they traditionally enjoy afternoon tea together at 4pm, before opening their presents the day before Christmas.
It is a German tradition to exchange presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day, in a nod to the Firm’s German heritage.
Following this an official black tie dinner is held in the evening, which is detailed by Prince Harry in his memoir Spare, as he recalled the “long table covered with white cloth and white name cards”.
On this occasion the late Queen’s favourite cocktail was reportedly served, a Zaza, made of equal measures Dubonnet and gin.
For many people the highlight of Christmas Day is a huge roast dinner, complete with all the classic favourites such as turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, veggies and Christmas pudding.
It is no exception in the royal household, as former chef Darren McGrady told Hello! magazine: “It was the same meal every year. They’re actually boring when it comes to festivities! They didn’t do hams or anything, just traditional turkeys.
“We did three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for the children’s nursery and then more for the 100 or so staff, so everyone had a Christmas lunch.”
Usually the royal children eat separately from the adults, however the family will all gather together to watch the King’s speech, which is usually televised at 3pm.
Other than the speech there is no other TV allowed at Sandringham on Christmas Day, with the family likely to play classic festive games together such as charades – the Queen allegedly liked the game so much she used to make everyone stay up until midnight playing it with her.
After all the excitement of Christmas, the royals enjoy a more relaxed Boxing Day with a traditional pheasant shoot, enabling them to get out and about in the Sandringham grounds.
The late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh used to stay at the Norfolk property until February, meaning they would spend New Year there too, something Charles emulated last year.
He welcomed 2023 with a service on New Year’s Day at St Mary Magdalene, where he was accompanied by his wife Queen Camilla, however William and Kate chose to ring in the New Year with the Middletons in Berkshire.
It is likely that Charles and Camilla will not stay at Sandringham as long as the Queen did as they prefer to spend time at Birkhall, their Scottish home on the Balmoral estate.
