Bizarre royal Christmas traditions for George, Charlotte and Louis to follow
The children – George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7 – are enjoying the festive period alongside their parents, Prince William, 43, and Princess Catherine, also 43, as well as their grandfather, King Charles, 77.
Despite the public fascination with royal festivities, insiders say that despite the formalities, Christmas celebrations are often surprisingly playful and appear ‘bizarre’ to outsiders because it means the children will be bound by age-old traditions while most other children their age are running wild and playing.
A palace source said: “Christmas at Sandringham combines tradition with fun. For the children it is a time for presents, estate walks and meeting the royal family’s public fans. Even though it is a life of privilege, these children are bound by very old traditions which may seem overly strict to outsiders who may feel their time would be better spent simply having fun all day.”
A long-standing royal custom that is still observed today is the German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve.
A source said: “Because of their German heritage, the royals incorporate German customs into their holidays. After afternoon tea, they open presents on Christmas Eve, following that tradition.”
However, George, Charlotte and Louis will also receive gifts from their parents on Christmas Day – which sources tell us will strike a balance that allows the youngsters to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Another aspect of royal Christmas concerns the seating for the children at lunch.
Sources said that when they were younger, the royal children were sometimes given their own table to enjoy Christmas dinner, separate from the adults, but as they got older, they “graduated” to the “adult table.”
A former staff member said: “The idea was to give the children space and let them eat without having to worry about formal dining rules. Now that George, Charlotte and Louis are over seven, they sit at the same table as William, Catherine and the other senior royals.”
The Sandringham walkabout is another tradition that sets a royal Christmas apart from the average family celebration.
After attending the service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, the children, along with their parents and other family members, participate in a public walk, meeting well-wishers, exchanging handshakes and receiving small gifts.
A royal insider said: “The walk is always a big moment for the children. It’s unusual compared to a typical Christmas, but they really seem to enjoy it – especially when they receive chocolates and small gifts from members of the public.”
Although the Sandringham festivities are highly orchestrated, a source stressed: “The royals love these quirky traditions, and the children get plenty of play time in the evenings once the crowd and formal duties are done.”
In addition to gift-giving rituals and public appearances, the royal family provides traditional meals, including a Christmas lunch and often afternoon tea, followed by games and walks around the estate.
A source said: “These traditions are designed to balance family time, children’s fun and the ceremonial duties of The Firm, so that even the youngest royals experience the mix of private fun and public spectacle that makes a royal Christmas unique. This year, as in previous years, George, Charlotte and Louis will take part, giving the public a glimpse into their upbringing while maintaining the signature routines of royal life.”
