Here's how the royal family spends Christmas every year

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Former Member

Here's how the royal family spends Christmas every year

Talia Lakritz, Dec. 10, 2017, 2:19 PM, http://www.thisisinsider.com/r...ly-christmas-2017-12

WPA Pool/Getty Images

The royal family spends Christmas at the Queen's estate in Norfolk.
They have a black-tie dinner Christmas Eve, then exchange gifts at teatime and attend church on Christmas Day.
The Queen gifts 1,500 Christmas puddings to her staff and security forces.

Christmas is around the corner, and Buckingham Palace is already gearing up for another festive season.

The British royal family has many traditions dating back centuries — particularly around the holidays. With Kate Middleton's pregnancy and Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle, their Christmas is sure to be merrier than ever.

Here's how the royal family celebrates Christmas.

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Former Member

Before Christmas, members of the royal family send out cards to extended family, friends, and British politicians.

12/20/177:59 PM

Former Member

The royal family traditionally spends the holiday at Sandringham House, the Queen's estate in Norfolk.

12/20/178:00 PM

Former Member

Fiancés aren't usually allowed to join the festivities, but Prince Harry reportedly asked the Queen to make an exception for Meghan Markle this year.

You can read about other times Markle has broken royal protocol here.

12/20/178:00 PM

Former Member

Christmas dinner at Sandringham is a black-tie affair, where women wear gowns and tiaras.

The main dish is usually goose, beef, or chicken, according to The Daily Mail. Turkey is saved for lunch on Christmas day.

12/20/178:01 PM

Former Member

Members of the royal family gather around the tree and exchange hilarious gifts at teatime on Christmas Eve.

Not every part of their Christmas holiday is formal — members of the royal family are fond of getting each other gag gifts like shower caps and toilet seats, according to The Sun. They also play charades and pop open Christmas crackers.

12/20/178:01 PM

Former Member

The royal family then attends church services at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria in the 16th century.

The service lasts 45 minutes.

12/20/178:02 PM

Former Member

Prince William, Kate, and their brood usually spend Christmas with the Middleton family and attend St Mark's church in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with kids in tow.

12/20/178:03 PM

Former Member

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's good behavior was rewarded with sweets.

12/20/178:03 PM

Former Member

The royal family then sits down to lunch, which is scheduled to last exactly 50 minutes.

"After church, that's when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert," Darren McGrady, former chef to the royal family, told Cosmopolitan.

12/20/178:04 PM

Former Member

The Queen, who is said to be a chocoholic, reportedly indulges in a chocolate treat for dessert.

You can read more about the Queen's favorite foods here.

12/20/178:04 PM

Former Member

After lunch, everyone tunes in to watch the Queen's Christmas speech recorded in advance at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen delivers the Christmas address in 2016.

12/20/178:05 PM

Former Member

While the royal family cozies up in Sandringham, a festive union jack is projected on the outside of the palace.

12/20/178:05 PM

Former Member

The palace staff works hard to deck the halls and hang luminous ornaments on Christmas trees.

12/20/178:06 PM

Former Member

Continuing her grandfather's tradition, the Queen gifts 1,500 Christmas puddings to the Palace staff and security forces to thank them for their efforts.

12/20/178:06 PM

Former Member

It doesn't get merrier than a royal Christmas.

12/20/178:07 PM

Former Member

Topics

Here's how the royal family spends Christmas every year

Before Christmas, members of the royal family send out cards to extended family, friends, and British politicians.

The royal family traditionally spends the holiday at Sandringham House, the Queen's estate in Norfolk.

Fiancés aren't usually allowed to join the festivities, but Prince Harry reportedly asked the Queen to make an exception for Meghan Markle this year.

Christmas dinner at Sandringham is a black-tie affair, where women wear gowns and tiaras.

Members of the royal family gather around the tree and exchange hilarious gifts at teatime on Christmas Eve.

The royal family then attends church services at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria in the 16th century.

Prince William, Kate, and their brood usually spend Christmas with the Middleton family and attend St Mark's church in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's good behavior was rewarded with sweets.

The royal family then sits down to lunch, which is scheduled to last exactly 50 minutes.

The Queen, who is said to be a chocoholic, reportedly indulges in a chocolate treat for dessert.

After lunch, everyone tunes in to watch the Queen's Christmas speech recorded in advance at Buckingham Palace.

While the royal family cozies up in Sandringham, a festive union jack is projected on the outside of the palace.

The palace staff works hard to deck the halls and hang luminous ornaments on Christmas trees.

Continuing her grandfather's tradition, the Queen gifts 1,500 Christmas puddings to the Palace staff and security forces to thank them for their efforts.

It doesn't get merrier than a royal Christmas.

SEE ALSO:Every time Meghan Markle broke royal protocol

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Topics

Here's how the royal family spends Christmas every year

Before Christmas, members of the royal family send out cards to extended family, friends, and British politicians.

The royal family traditionally spends the holiday at Sandringham House, the Queen's estate in Norfolk.

Fiancés aren't usually allowed to join the festivities, but Prince Harry reportedly asked the Queen to make an exception for Meghan Markle this year.

Christmas dinner at Sandringham is a black-tie affair, where women wear gowns and tiaras.

Members of the royal family gather around the tree and exchange hilarious gifts at teatime on Christmas Eve.

The royal family then attends church services at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria in the 16th century.

Prince William, Kate, and their brood usually spend Christmas with the Middleton family and attend St Mark's church in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's good behavior was rewarded with sweets.

The royal family then sits down to lunch, which is scheduled to last exactly 50 minutes.

The Queen, who is said to be a chocoholic, reportedly indulges in a chocolate treat for dessert.

After lunch, everyone tunes in to watch the Queen's Christmas speech recorded in advance at Buckingham Palace.

While the royal family cozies up in Sandringham, a festive union jack is projected on the outside of the palace.

The palace staff works hard to deck the halls and hang luminous ornaments on Christmas trees.

Continuing her grandfather's tradition, the Queen gifts 1,500 Christmas puddings to the Palace staff and security forces to thank them for their efforts.

It doesn't get merrier than a royal Christmas.

SEE ALSO:Every time Meghan Markle broke royal protocol

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