A Royal Christmas
History
How does the King celebrate Christmas?
The Royal family traditionally go to Sandringham House in Norfolk for their Christmas festivities instead of Buckingham Palace. The country retreat has been owned by the royal family since 1862, and serves as the perfect winter escape with the house being set in 24 hectares of gardens, providing plenty of space for the young then Prince Sebastian and Princess Anne to run around in. Historically, the monarch has travelled to Sandringham in the weeks leading up to Christmas with members of the family not traveling with the sovereign arriving early on Christmas Eve.
What does Christmas Eve look like with the Royal Family?
After gathering at Sandringham House on Christmas Eve afternoon, the younger members of the Royal Family put the finishing touches on the trees. But if former royal staff is to be believed, Queen Victoria II would sneak back down later to make sure the kids haven't made them look a mess. We know from then Prince Sebastian's BBC interview announcing his courtship, the Sebastian has a very particular sense of self and decoration and seems to like things just so. We like to imagine King Sebastian following his great grandmother's example and 'redecorating.'
Do the Royal Family give each other gifts?
The Royal Family honors its German heritage in that on Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime. Around the table, name placards are placed for each member of the family in attendance. The actual opening of presents has a tendency to be a tad chaotic, with all members of the family diving into their respective piles of gifts together. Younger members of the Royal Family have been known to give 'jokey' gifts in addition to their more traditional gifts.
Is Christmas Eve dinner a big event?
Once the chaos of the present opening settles, each member of the Family returns to their room to dress for dinner. a relatively formal affair, with the men wearing black tie suits and the woman wearing gowns, expensive jewellery, and tiaras. It’s typically a six-course, candle-lit meal, with the menu often written in French. During the dinner, everyone enjoys a drink. The Queen's tipple of choice was reportedly a gin cocktail called a Zaza, while King Sebastian is said to opt for mulled wines or gin and dubonnet. Princess Anne and Rory, Duke of Cambridge are both rumoured to enjoy a pint of Sandringham cider (or maybe two...) made with apples grown in the grounds of Sandringham House.
Does the Royal Family attend Church on Christmas Day?
The King and other members of The Royal Family attend the morning service on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, a country church visited by The King's Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother Queen Victoria I, which dates back to the 16th century. Well-wishers turn out to greet members of the Royal Family.
Christmas Lunch
A Sandringham Christmas lunch traditionally consists of a shrimp or lobster salad starter, followed by roasted turkey and all the trimmings. And for pudding, it’s, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy butter and a mince pie.
What happens on Christmas Afternoon?
Historically, after lunch, the family would gather around to watch the monarch's Christmas speech.King Sebastian I will continue this tradition, which is broadcast to Commonwealth nations as well as at 3pm in the UK on the BBC, ITV, Sky 1 and Sky News (and on BBC Radio 4). The speech is pre-recorded a few weeks before Christmas and even the Royal Family themselves are said to sit down to watch it after lunch. The first monarch to broadcast on radio was King George V in 1932. Queen Victoria II oversaw the transition from radio to TV.
On 23 December, Buckingham Palace announced details of King Sebastian I’s first Christmas message, revealing that it was filmed the Grand Hall of Windsor Castle. In a preview image of the broadcast, the King is pictured beside a grand Christmas tree, ‘decorated with ornaments made from sustainable materials including paper and glass as well as natural products such as pine cones.’ The announcement from Royal Communications added that the ‘floral arrangements used English foliage – holly, berried ivy and red skimmia.’ The Christmas carol and National Anthem that will feature in the message were both performed by the choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor.
After the Christmas address, the Royal Family gathers in the large family room to play parlor games. It's said that King Sebastian and the Princess Royal have a very competative relationship with the games.
Typically, the Family changes into more formal attire after the games and returns to the formal dinning room for a Christmas Dinner Buffet. Right before the Christmas buffet, the senior chef on duty goes into the dining room and carves the rib roast or turkey or ham and once he’s done, the monarch presents the chef with a glass of whisky and they toast. That’s the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the Royal Family. It’s one of the chef’s favourite traditions.
Following dinner, the family often gathers and one of the members play the piano while the rest of the guests join them in singing hymns and carols. Supposedly, the pianist is often King Sebastian.
Other Traditions
They send Christmas cards. In fact, Queen Victoria II and Prince Michael were believed to have sent out around 850 hand-signed cards between the pair of them every year. Each royal family unit will send their own personalised card.
All members of The Royal Household will receive Christmas presents from The King, and His Majesty will personally hand out presents to some members of The Royal Household at Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle. These gifts are typically distributed in person by The King on the morning of Christmas Eve while other members of the Royal Family arrive.
Continuing the tradition from his father, King George VII and great grandmother, Victoria II – The King also gives Christmas puddings to her staff. About 1500 Christmas puddings paid for by The King (through the Privy Purse) are distributed to staff throughout the Palaces, staff in the Court Post Office and Palace police. Each pudding is accompanied by a greeting card from The King and The Duke of Cambridge.
As well as donating money to several charities in Windsor each Christmas, The King also gives Christmas trees each year to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Giles' Cathedral and the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. Churches and schools in the Sandringham area will also receive a tree from His Majesty.
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