With news emerging that Prince Harry has imposed a new rule on his children for Christmas, we look back at some of the Royal Family’s traditions
The British Royal family is famed for its adherence to tradition, particularly during the festive season. With recent reports suggesting that Prince Harry has introduced a new Christmas rule for his children, we delve into some of the Yuletide customs that have been shared by royals, palace staff and experts over the years.
Weighing in for dinner
Guests invited to Sandringham for Christmas dinner are reportedly asked to step onto a set of antique scales before and after their meal. This peculiar tradition harks back to the reign of King Edward VII, who wished to ensure his guests were “well fed”.
Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty Magazine and a Royal commentator, confirmed this practice was still in place as recently as 2018.
A gift-giving free-for-all
In a surprisingly informal tradition, the Royal family delight in giving each other the most inexpensive and humorous gifts they can find.
Prince Harry characterised the experience in his memoir Spare as a raucous “free-for-all”, with everyone eagerly unwrapping piles of presents simultaneously – a custom that stems from their German ancestry.
Black-tie dinner
Following the evening’s present-opening frenzy, the royals swap chaos for elegance as they prepare for a formal black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve.
This reflects another German tradition of enjoying the main festive meal on the 24th, rather than the English custom of dining on the 25th.
Football match
Online reports suggest that Princes William and Harry have a tradition of playing football on the Sandringham Estate with staff and friends on Christmas Eve.
One source even revealed that Prince Harry’s team would don Arsenal colours, while Prince William’s side sported Aston Villa socks.
Church Service
Like many families across the UK, the royals start their Christmas Day by attending church. For them, it is said to be compulsory to attend the service at St Mary Magdalene Church, where crowds gather early to watch the family’s communal walk.
Christmas Trees
The Windsors are known for going above and beyond when it comes to Christmas trees. Former Royal chef Darren McGrady has shared that they typically erect three fir trees in the Marble Hall, along with a main tree and a faux silver one at Sandringham.
It’s also reported that the youngest members of the family are tasked with decorating the trees, which have been adorned with corgi-themed ornaments in the past.
Charades After Lunch
Perhaps the most famous of the Windsor’s Christmas traditions is their post-lunch game of charades on the 25th. This beloved activity, enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth II herself, serves as a relaxing way for the family to unwind after their festive meal.
