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At the end of the year, a large part of the Windsor clan gathers at Sandringham, as is tradition, to celebrate the Christmas holidays together. On December 25 in particular, countless rules imposed by the British royal family must be respected to the letter as reported by royal expert Jennie Bond for “The Sun”.
A Christmas and traditions at the Windsors: the surprising rules imposed at Sandringham!
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The magic of Christmas has finally arrived at the Windsors, it started a few days ago in London with a pre-Christmas lunch organized in London by Charles III, a family meeting that Kate and William missed. After a particularly complicated year due to his cancer, King Charles III set down in Sandringham (in Norfolk) to celebrate the Nativity with part of the Firm. Like every year, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton were invited, as were their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis. As for Meghan Markle and Harry, now living in California, they will be conspicuous by their absence, just like Prince Andrew, recently tainted by a new scandal, and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Near the Sunthe royal expert Jennie Bond spoke at length about their traditional family reunion which amazes their admirers and the press internationally.
If during her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth II was uncompromising on certain customs on Christmas Day, his heir, the king Charles III would have decided to relax some of them since his death. “I can't imagine the royal family sprawled on sofas in slippers and slouchy pants, drinking booze and chocolates like the rest of us“, analyzed the specialist of crowned heads who hopes that the husband of Queen Camilla, constantly prioritizing his royal duty, will take care of himself at the end of the year. “Even if he decides not to work on Christmas Day, his body clock may be out of sync from all the late nights he's had, and he'll be up late anyway.“
To know that on D-daythe dress code being very strict, all guests of Charles III must be dressed to the nines! “The royals host a black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve every year, so guests should come preparedsaid Jennie Bond. On Christmas Day, members of the royal family must be dressed appropriately to attend church and then to eat lunch in the dining room. Although it's not a black-tie dinner, don't expect the royals to be in casual wear!“
On Christmas Day Sandringham, children do not eat with adults
If elegance is required on this very symbolic day, the organization of meals, whether at lunchtime or in the evening, is not taken lightly either. Mike Tindall, the husband of Zara Phillips, the monarch's niece, notably revealed that there were frequently 70 guests at the Christmas lunch. “There are seven tables and children have their own table in another room“we discover. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, said that children “are not allowed to sit with adults until they have learned the art of polite conversation“.
Punctuality is also required… And beware of latecomers. “You don't show up at Sandringham when you want to.”added Jennie Bond. “Guests must arrive at the time they are expected, neither before nor after“. For their gifts, the members of the royal family put humor in the spotlight. Overpriced gifts? Very little for them. “The principle of the game is to buy cheap and witty gifts” added Jennie Blond. “Gifts should make people laugh, not be expensive. These gifts are opened on Christmas Eve, a German tradition the family has adhered to for decades“.
