The Royal Family have followed a very similar Christmas routine for many yearsMitya Underwood and Nicola Croal Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
11:01, 25 Dec 2025Updated 11:02, 25 Dec 2025
The Royal Family have many Christmas traditions(Image: POOL/AFP Via Getty)
King Charles and Queen Camilla will host this year’s Christmas at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, as per tradition. This custom was first set by the monarch’s late mother and father, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The royal residence will be very busy today as the couple will be joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton along with their three kids Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10 and Prince Louis, seven, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Lady Louise Windsor, 22, and James, Earl of Wessex, 18.
Anne, Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, are also expected to be in attendance, along with Zara and Mike Tindall and their three children, plus Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their families. Royal author Katie Nicholl said: “There are only two occasions in the year when the whole family gets together for any length of time – during the summer at Balmoral, and then at Christmas at Sandringham.
“For the King, Christmas Day is also the one day of the year when he doesn’t read the government papers in his red box. It’s a religious day and the only day he can fully switch off, just as his mother used to.” Last year, around 45 guests attended the three-day Sandringham gathering, which is believed to be the family’s largest ever festive get-together.
However, as the sprawling property is believed to have around 29 bedrooms and more than 100 rooms, it was more than able to accommodate the extra guests. Invites were extended to Camilla’s family, including her son Tom Parker Bowles and his two kids and her daughter Laura Lopes and her family, the Mirror reports.
The Firm attend the Christmas church service every year(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Camilla’s sister Annabel Elliot, who is one of her personal aides, was also part of the big day. Royal correspondent Richard Palmer said: “The whole house is crammed with people. Apparently, the royal protection officers camp out in a little side room in sleeping bags. Every bit of space is used.”
The only royals who will not require rooms are the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, who stay at their own home on the estate, 10-bedroom Anmer Hall. With the schedule set in stone, the royal festivities commence with a Christmas Eve tea of dainty sandwiches and cakes, followed by the exchange of some novelty presents.
Meanwhile, Kate explained: “Opening the gifts on Christmas Eve stems back to the family’s German heritage. The ethos of the gifting is that they should be thoughtful presents, not overly extravagant or expensive. And anything that’s funny or humorous gets the seal of approval.”
In his tell-all memoir, Spare, Prince Harry who once reportedly gave his grandmother a shower cap with the message “Ain’t life a b***h” described the ritual as “a free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper”.
This is then followed by early evening drink with gin and Dubonnet or champagne typically served, then it’s time for a lavish candlelit six-course banquet with the men in black-tie and the women in evening dresses.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady claims the royals’ Christmas feasts are always very traditional, including “a fish course, salad and then often venison from the Sandringham estate”.
The meal is rounded off with dessert, typically a tarte tatin or chocolate perfection pie, “which the Queen loved”.
The Royal Family’s Christmas at Sandringham has stayed the same for generations, but King Charles is said to have eased some of the rules since he became the monarch.
Katie said: “Things are not quite as strict as they were. For instance, in the late Queen’s time there were up to six outfit changes on Christmas Day, which must have been exhausting. That was very much a generational thing, but it has been relaxed.”
Following their Christmas morning breakfast, the royals then set off on their annual walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate for the 11am service, greeting festive well-wishers along the way.
The lavish lunch that follows features Norfolk-reared roast turkey with chestnut stuffing, mashed and roast potatoes, parsnips and carrots, followed by a flaming Christmas pudding.
Like millions of Brits across the country, the Firm then gather around the TV at 3pm to watch the King’s pre-recorded Christmas message.
Katie explains: “Like the late Queen before him, Charles always insists on writing his speech himself. So far, he has consistently hit the right note, making sure no one is forgotten. He uses it as a way of connecting with the public and shining a spotlight on those who are vulnerable.”
The royals have an annual Boxing Day shoot at Sandringham(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
In the evening time, the atmosphere becomes far more relaxed and jovial, and Katie tells us “old-fashioned parlour games” such as charades are played.
Of course, certain members of the Royal Family will be noticeably absent.
Last year, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson weren’t present at Christmas and have reportedly been “disinvited” this year in light of the further fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and the stripping of Andrew’s royal titles.
Richard says: “As Andrew continues to find himself caught up in various furores, I think the King is of the view that it’s better to keep him out of the spotlight at Christmas. With the eyes of the media on them, it’s probably better for all concerned.”
Also unlikely to be part of proceedings are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, although Richard believes “a video call” will most probably take place at some point during the celebrations.
Boxing Day then brings a meal of the late Queen’s favourite dish of curried rice with smoked haddock and hard-boiled eggs before the customary outdoor pursuits on the 20,000-acre estate.
Katie says: “The Queen loved the Boxing Day shoot and she would famously be pictured out in her headscarf, picking up the game.”
However, there is talk of scrapping the tradition soon due to a decline in pheasant numbers on the estate, which the King is reportedly unhappy about. But even if shooting is ruled out, there will still be walks with the dogs and another lavish lunch.
Katie explains: “The hip flasks and hot drinks come out, as well as all the Christmas leftovers. The late Queen was very frugal, and the King is a pioneer of minimising food waste, too, so there’ll be lots of cold turkey and ham. The royals love eating alfresco and they’ll have their picnic whether rain or shine.”
The holiday doesn’t quite end on Boxing Day for everyone, though, as the King and Queen head off to Scotland ahead of New Year’s Eve.
Katie explains: “The late Queen used to stay longer at Sandringham, but Charles and Camilla go to Birkhall near Balmoral, because they love seeing in Hogmanay there. That’s one of the newer traditions the King has brought in, and it’s a very special time for them.”
After yet another challenging year for the royals, this festive season will undoubtedly carry a renewed sense of hope and gratitude.
Katie says: “The difficulties of the past 18 months, marked by the ill-health of both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, will make it an even more poignant and special time. We’ve heard Kate talk so movingly about the importance of love and family during her cancer recovery – that gives these occasions extra significance.”