King Felipe of Spain delivers his traditional Christmas speech (Image: Getty)
The British and Spanish royals, like many other families around the world, have their own Christmas traditions.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the Sandringham Estate every year for festive activities such as charades, football, and black-tie dinners.
A unique tradition comes on Christmas Eve where the royals exchange gifts, a practice rooted in German customs.
The Spanish Royal Family hold a dinner at Zarzuela Palace on Christmas Eve, where King Felipe delivers an address to the nation in a similar manner to our monarch.
Beyond Christmas Day, the Spanish royals, including King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and their children Epiphany privately on January 5, following the tradition of many Spanish families.
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The Spanish Royal Family released their Christmas card with a touching message (Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Christmas Cards
Both the Spanish and British royal families share the tradition of releasing Christmas cards early in December, featuring greetings from the royal members.
The Spanish Royals, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia, release their cards, often with signatures printed on them.
The British Royals, including King Charles III, also engage in this tradition, sending out holiday cards to family, friends, and dignitaries.
The cards that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be sending this year show the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace at the time of the King’s coronation on May 6 with the King Charles wearing a purple silk robe embroidered in gold.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a tradition shared by both royal families. The Spanish Royals usually have a dinner at Zarzuela Palace, and the entire family, including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, attends.
Meanwhile, the British Royals, including King Charles, celebrate Christmas Eve with a black-tie dinner that used to include Queen Elizabeth’s favourite cocktail, the “Zaza.”
The British Royal family shared the custom of other European royals in beginning the gift-giving on Christmas Eve.
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Gift Giving
Both families have a tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve.
According to Prince Harry, the British Royals gather around a table with name cards and engage in a lively gift-opening session, a custom derived from German traditions
Queen Elizabeth is said to have liked to hand presents to the children personally. As part of their Christmas Eve celebrations, the Spanish Royals also exchange gifts.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will take part in festive activities during the royal annual trip to Sandringham (Image: Getty)
Charitable Engagements
During the holiday season, both royal families actively participate in charitable activities. The British Royals, including Kate, Princess of Wales, host charitable events such as Christmas Carol services.
This year the Princess of Wales was welcomed at a surprise Christmas party put on for those supporting young people.
Meanwhile, every year Queen Camilla invites children supported by her charities to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House.
Similarly, the Spanish Royals attend charity events and Christmas parties to raise funds for causes near and dear to their hearts.
Christmas Food
The Christmas menu enjoyed by the British Royal Family is not very different from that of the Spanish Royals.
Some tastes do differ though, with the Spanish preferring to plate up with more fish dishes while the British royal family preferring turkey, ham and game.
Erik Wolf, founder of the modern food tourism industry and the World Food Travel Association, said: “While some of the details will change between the British and Spanish Royal Families, the basic concepts of a buffet spread, and featuring the favourite, traditional dishes, still remains the same.”
