The Royal Family’s Christmas Traditions: A Look at 2024 and Beyond
2024 has presented its share of challenges for the British Royal Family, with health concerns affecting both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales. However, as the year draws to a close, a sense of optimism permeates the family, promising a celebratory Christmas season.
This year’s festivities promise to be grander than ever, with approximately 40 members of the royal family gathering at Sandringham in Norfolk, starting Christmas Eve. The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are expected to attend. While they might enjoy a quieter Christmas at nearby Anmer Hall, their presence at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning is anticipated.
Adding to the festive cheer, Kate Middleton’s “Together at Christmas” carol service, pre-recorded at Westminster Abbey, will air on ITV on Christmas Eve. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to celebrate Christmas in Montecito, California, with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Christmas Trees: A Royal Tradition
A long-standing tradition, the royal family’s Christmas tree decorating dates back to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s time. Inspired by German traditions, their practice of bringing a Christmas tree inside on Christmas Eve, decorating it with candles, baubles, and homemade gingerbread, spread throughout Britain. Today, Sandringham showcases a majestic 20-foot Norwegian spruce from Windsor Great Park, while Buckingham Palace boasts a trio of trees, and Clarence House features a tree decorated with children from Helen & Douglas House.
Christmas Cards: A Victorian Legacy
The tradition of sending Christmas cards also originates from the Victorian era. The royals have continued this tradition, with the King and Queen sending cards featuring a family photo to around 1,000 recipients. The Cambridges and Sussexes have also maintained this tradition, sharing glimpses of their family lives in their cards.
Christmas Location: Sandringham and Beyond
While Sandringham has become the primary Christmas location in recent decades, Windsor Castle holds a significant place in royal Christmas history. During World War II, the late Queen spent Christmas there with her family, staging pantomimes to boost morale. Queen Elizabeth II only shifted the family’s Christmas location to Sandringham in the late 1980s after Windsor required rewiring.
Christmas Menu: A Royal Feast
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in their third year hosting the Sandringham gathering, are expected to maintain the traditional Christmas meal. The day starts with a Buckingham Palace lunch before the family moves to Sandringham. Christmas Eve features a black-tie reception and formal dinner, followed by a classic Christmas Day feast including turkey, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding, as confirmed by royal chef Darren McGrady and Tom Parker Bowles. Parker Bowles also confirmed, in an interview with The Telegraph, the classic Christmas Day feast with church attendance, with his first visit to Sandringham in 2024. Boxing Day, meanwhile, brings a royal favorite: Pulled and Grilled Turkey, a recipe recounted in Parker Bowles’s Cooking and the Crown.
The 2024 Christmas at Sandringham promises to be a significant event, combining cherished traditions with a modern twist, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the Royal Family while honoring their rich heritage. The event will continue the family’s tradition of bringing together family members and sharing the festive joy with the wider world.
