The Royal Household have adopted a really related Christmas routine for a few years

King Charles and Queen Camilla will host this yr’s Christmas on the Sandringham property in Norfolk, as per custom. This tradition was first set by the monarch’s late mom and father, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The royal residence can be very busy in the present day because the couple can be joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton together with their three children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince Louis, seven, in addition to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Girl Louise Windsor, 22, and James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

Anne, Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, are additionally anticipated to be in attendance, together with Zara and Mike Tindall and their three kids, plus Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their households. Royal creator Katie Nicholl stated: “There are solely two events within the yr when the entire household will get collectively for any size of time – in the course of the summer time at Balmoral, after which at Christmas at Sandringham.

“For the King, Christmas Day can also be the sooner or later of the yr when he doesn’t learn the federal government papers in his crimson field. It’s a spiritual day and the one day he can absolutely change off, simply as his mom used to.” Final yr, round 45 company attended the three-day Sandringham gathering, which is believed to be the household’s largest ever festive get-together.

Nonetheless, because the sprawling property is believed to have round 29 bedrooms and greater than 100 rooms, it was greater than in a position to accommodate the additional company. Invitations had been prolonged to Camilla’s household, together with her son Tom Parker Bowles and his two children and her daughter Laura Lopes and her household, the Mirror experiences.

Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot, who’s considered one of her private aides, was additionally a part of the large day. Royal correspondent Richard Palmer stated: “The entire home is filled with folks. Apparently, the royal safety officers camp out in a bit aspect room in sleeping baggage. Each little bit of house is used.”

The one royals who is not going to require rooms are the Prince and Princess of Wales and their kids, who keep at their very own residence on the property, 10-bedroom Anmer Corridor. With the schedule set in stone, the royal festivities begin with a Christmas Eve tea of dainty sandwiches and desserts, adopted by the trade of some novelty presents.

In the meantime, Kate defined: “Opening the presents on Christmas Eve stems again to the household’s German heritage. The ethos of the gifting is that they need to be considerate presents, not overly extravagant or costly. And something that’s humorous or humorous will get the seal of approval.”

In his tell-all memoir, Spare, Prince Harry who as soon as reportedly gave his grandmother a bathe cap with the message “Ain’t life a b***h” described the ritual as “a free-for-all, with scores of members of the family speaking directly and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper”.

That is then adopted by early night drink with gin and Dubonnet or champagne usually served, then it’s time for a lavish candlelit six-course banquet with the boys in black-tie and the ladies in night attire.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady claims the royals’ Christmas feasts are at all times very conventional, together with “a fish course, salad after which usually venison from the Sandringham property”.

The meal is rounded off with dessert, usually a tarte tatin or chocolate perfection pie, “which the Queen cherished”.

The Royal Household’s Christmas at Sandringham has stayed the identical for generations, however King Charles is claimed to have eased a few of the guidelines since he turned the monarch.

Katie stated: “Issues are usually not fairly as strict as they had been. As an illustration, within the late Queen’s time there have been as much as six outfit adjustments on Christmas Day, which should have been exhausting. That was very a lot a generational factor, nevertheless it has been relaxed.”

Following their Christmas morning breakfast, the royals then set off on their annual stroll to St Mary Magdalene Church on the property for the 11am service, greeting festive well-wishers alongside the best way.

The lavish lunch that follows options Norfolk-reared roast turkey with chestnut stuffing, mashed and roast potatoes, parsnips and carrots, adopted by a flaming Christmas pudding.

Like tens of millions of Brits throughout the nation, the Agency then collect across the TV at 3pm to look at the King’s pre-recorded Christmas message.

Katie explains: “Just like the late Queen earlier than him, Charles at all times insists on writing his speech himself. To date, he has persistently hit the fitting observe, ensuring nobody is forgotten. He makes use of it as a means of connecting with the general public and shining a highlight on those that are susceptible.”

Within the night time, the ambiance turns into much more relaxed and jovial, and Katie tells us “old school parlour video games” akin to charades are performed.

After all, sure members of the Royal Household can be noticeably absent.

Final yr, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson weren’t current at Christmas and have reportedly been “disinvited” this yr in mild of the additional fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the stripping of Andrew’s royal titles.

Richard says: “As Andrew continues to search out himself caught up in varied furores, I believe the King is of the view that it’s higher to maintain him out of the highlight at Christmas. With the eyes of the media on them, it’s most likely higher for all involved.”

Additionally unlikely to be a part of proceedings are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two kids, Archie, six, and Lilibet, 4, though Richard believes “a video name” will most likely happen sooner or later in the course of the celebrations.

Boxing Day then brings a meal of the late Queen’s favorite dish of curried rice with smoked haddock and hard-boiled eggs earlier than the customary outside pursuits on the 20,000-acre property.

Katie says: “The Queen cherished the Boxing Day shoot and he or she would famously be pictured out in her headband, choosing up the sport.”

Nonetheless, there may be speak of scrapping the custom quickly on account of a decline in pheasant numbers on the property, which the King is reportedly sad about. However even when capturing is dominated out, there’ll nonetheless be walks with the canine and one other lavish lunch.

Katie explains: “The hip flasks and sizzling drinks come out, in addition to all of the Christmas leftovers. The late Queen was very frugal, and the King is a pioneer of minimising meals waste, too, so there’ll be a number of chilly turkey and ham. The royals love consuming alfresco and so they’ll have their picnic whether or not rain or shine.”

The vacation doesn’t fairly finish on Boxing Day for everybody, although, because the King and Queen head off to Scotland forward of New Yr’s Eve.

Katie explains: “The late Queen used to remain longer at Sandringham, however Charles and Camilla go to Birkhall close to Balmoral, as a result of they love seeing in Hogmanay there. That’s one of many newer traditions the King has introduced in, and it’s a really particular time for them.”

After yet one more difficult yr for the royals, this festive season will undoubtedly carry a renewed sense of hope and gratitude.

Katie says: “The difficulties of the previous 18 months, marked by the ill-health of each King Charles and the Princess of Wales, will make it an much more poignant and particular time. We’ve heard Kate speak so movingly in regards to the significance of affection and household throughout her most cancers restoration – that offers these events additional significance.”