Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are in for a fun-filled Christmas this year as they are set to spend the day in Norfolk with their nearest and dearest.
While the royal children are like millions of others across the UK when it comes to their excitement around Christmas time, it appears the three siblings have some bizarre Christmas traditions which come as a result of being members of the Royal Family.
Although Prince William and Princess Kate try and give their three children as normal an upbringing as possible, these traditions – especially when the family celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with the monarch – are still in place, with one of these being present giving on Christmas Eve. It is believed the royal children are also treated to some special gifts on December 25.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady explained: “The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition.”
Another tradition in place for the Royal Family at Christmas is the seating arrangements, which may no longer apply to the children now they are older. As young royals, the seating arrangements for Christmas dinner meant that the youngest of the children ate away from their parents until they were old enough to behave properly at the dining table.
Mr McGrady once revealed: “The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table.
“So for the (late) Queen, there was never a case of putting a high chair at the table with a little baby squealing and throwing food. It was Victorian.
“The children’s place was in the nursery and Nanny would take care of them. It’s your modern-day Downton Abbey.”
While the Royal Family do not typically speak about what Christmas Day behind closed doors at Sandringham looks like, Prince William, 42, did reveal that around 45 family members were expected to gather this year for the big day.
Speaking to servicemen, women and their children in Wiltshire on December 10, the future king said the family tend to spend the day “all in one room” but “normally spread out”.
Prince Harry is not expected to be among the family members spending Christmas at Sandringham this year and will instead spend the festive season in Montecito.
