Christmas has always been a special time of year for the royals, as it is for many of us. In the past, the royals gathered at Windsor Castle for the festivities, but in recent years, it is to Sandringham, the Queen’s inherited private estate in rural Norfolk, that the family go. Sandringham was bought by the son of Queen Victoria, Edward, then Prince of Wales, and later King Edward VII. The Queen enjoys spending time on the estate, with many opportunities for her favourite pastime of horse riding. Traditionally the Queen travels by train from London to King’s Lynn station in Norfolk, and from there is driven to Sandringham House. The Duke of Edinburgh usually accompanies her, but this year had to spend the time leading up to Christmas in a London Hospital, to receive treatment for a pre-existing condition. Although the Duke returned to Sandringham in time for Christmas Day, he did not attend church. Sandringham must feel like a real Christmas break, much as Balmoral in Scotland does in the summer.
A difference this year of 2019 included the presence of Princess Beatrice’s fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who joined the royal family at Sandringham this year, at the Queen’s invitation. In the past, fiances and fiancees were not allowed to attend Christmas at Sandringham, usually it is only those who are married. But the rules were relaxed 2 years ago when Meghan Markle attended at the fiancee of Prince Harry. This year also saw Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend the Christmas Day Service at St Mary Magdalene church this year for the first time. Little Louis stayed at home though, probably with his Nanny, Maria Theresa Borrallo. Also for the first time, Princes Charles and Andrew attended an earlier church service at St Mary Magdalene, before the usual 11am service that the rest of the family attended. The two brothers were photographed walking to church side by side, sending out a message of solidarity following news in the media that Charles has been strict with his younger brother, and was one of the main figures behind Prince Andrew’s decision to step back from Royal Duties following his implications in the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal. Prince Andrew did not attend the later 11am service with the rest of the family, although his daughters did. Other notable absentees were Zara and Mike Tindall and their family. They usually attend Christmas at Sandringham, but were not there this year.
The Queen arrived at Sandringham a few days before Christmas, 20th December. But before, Her Majesty held a special Christmas lunch gathering at Buckingham Palace for the wider royal family. Only the more immediate family of the Queen are invited to Sandringham, but like many of us who see the Christmas period as a chance to catch up with the extended family, the Queen likes to have a big Windsor family gathering. This year in 2019 it was held on 18th December. Many members of the family, including the Cambridge’s (Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attended), Kent’s, Gloucester’s, York’s, Wessex’s and Snowden’s, attended. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the previous two years, but this year they have been abroad on a six week break, with the Queen’s and other members of the royal family’s permission, to have some much needed family time. It is thought they spent Christmas Day in Canada, for their son Archie’s first Christmas, where Meghan used to live, and were joined by the Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland.
So the Queen settled in to Sandringham, and her invited guests, usually numbering around 30, started to arrive, in order of precedence, meaning the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, as the most senior royals after the Queen and Prince Philip, arrive last, on Christmas Eve. The Cambridge’s stayed in their own home Anmer Hall, which is located on the Sandringham estate and was a gift to them from the Queen. They use it as a rural bolthole.
It can get rather cramped in the main house, with some having to share, or use staff quarters, to all fit in! I expect the Cambridge’s like having their own space, especially with young children. Some years, the Cambridge’s have spent Christmas with Catherine’s family, the Middleton’s, and spent New Year with the royals. I think this shows that the royals are open and aware that those who marry into the Windsor’s have their own family too, and commend William and Catherine for this. Previous married couples do not seem to have used this model; for example, the Wessex’s always spend Christmas at Sandringham and never with the Countess’s family, likewise, Peter and Autumn Phillips (son and daughter-in-law of Princess Anne) also do not seem to spend Christmas Day with Autumn’s side of the family, similarly with Mike and Zara Tindall (but this year they were absent for what I think is the first time). Sometimes the Middleton’s have stayed at Anmer, and the Cambridge’s and Middleton’s have had their own Christmas Day lunch and celebrations at Anmer, but joined the royals at church.
The Usual Royal Christmas Traditions
Windsor family Christmas celebrations really get under way on Christmas Eve. Younger members help put the finishing touches to the tree, and then it is present time! As is german tradition (the royal’s come from a german line), presents are given on the 24th instead of the 25th. Gifts are laid out on huge trestle tables next to the recipient’s name. Gifts must be simple, inexpensive, and the funnier the better! In her first year as Duchess, Catherine made chutney from her grandmother’s recipe, and shower caps with funny slogans have been known to have been given and received with raucous laughter! I think this is a good tradition, as it takes the pressure off somewhat. The royals then change into formal evening wear for a black tie dinner. Events end at around midnight, when the Queen goes to bed; nobody can go to bed before the Queen.
The next day a big full English breakfast is had. Then everyone attends St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate for the Christmas Day service. The Queen attends church here every Sunday when she is in residence at Sandringham. Her Majesty is a committed Christian, and her faith, I believe, is the strength behind her extraordinary duty, ability, and dedication. The service reminds us all of the real reason for Christmas; the birth of Jesus, who came to show us how to live so we can flourish. He came to enable us to have a personal relationship with God, who deeply loves us. The Queen’s faith shines through in her Christmas Speech. Royal fans and wellwishers wait outside St Mary Magdalene to see the royals as they walk (or are driven, in the case of the Queen, who is usually accompanied by one of the members of her family), to church, and as they leave afterwards they chat to the public and take the gifts offered to them.
They all assemble for a traditional British Christmas lunch, consisting of Turkey from the Sandringham estate, potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and gravy, and Christmas Pudding. Afterwards, they settle down for the Queen’s Speech, as it is broadcast on TV. The Queen watches it in a separate room, so she may critique herself. Even after so many years, the Queen still aims to improve, which I think is one reason she has done so well. Many Britons and Commonwealth Citizens pause their day to tune in. The speech is written personally by the Queen and includes a reflection on the past year in the life of the nation and commonwealth, events that have taken place (including royal ones) and the key work her family have done. The Queen usually has a theme, such as reconciliation, or peace, that she perceives to be key for that year, and links this to the biblical message of Christmas, expressing her own personal faith and how it helps her. This year the Queen spoke of a, “bumpy,” 2019, leaving viewers curious as to whether she was referring to political matters, or the troubles in her own family, or indeed both. I think we will never know, but it is up to us to decide. The speech begins and ends with a recording of a Christmas carol performed by a band from the armed forces, and includes images and clips from the past year. The Queen’s grandfather King George V began the tradition in 1932, and for nearly every year since, a message has been given. Formally recorded on the radio as a live broadcast, the Queen then moved to television in 1957. Now, due to her age, it is no longer live, but pre-recorded. This year it was filmed at Windsor Castle in the Green Drawing Room. The Queen is now an expert at the delivery and recording of her speeches!
The royals continue celebrations on the 26th December, Boxing Day, with a shoot. All ages and generations head out to the Norfolk countryside and shoot the pheasants on the Sandringham estate. As controversial as this is, it is a part of British aristocratic life, is a tradition, and the birds are well looked after before they are shot to be eaten.
There ends the traditional Sandringham Christmas. The Queen remains in residence for her winter break until 6th February, the date of her accession when her father died at Sandringham on 6th February 1952. During this time though the Queen will carry out local charity work, and everyday (except for Christmas Day itself) she will have her red boxes. They contain official communications and information from Parliament and her other realms and territories, that she has to deal with. So it is not a complete break, although at age 93 she could be expected to take one! Other members of the royal family will head off to their own estates around the country for New Year, or visit the other side of the family.
However, Christmas begins a lot earlier than Christmas Eve, for the royals. Members of the royal family release official Christmas cards sent to wellwishers, staff and charities, featuring photos of themselves. This year the photos of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Cambridge’s, and the Sussex’s Christmas cards have been released. The Queen and Prince Philip send out 750 cards to members of the royal household, friends, family, and British and Commonwealth Prime Ministers, Governor-Generals, and High Commissioners. Her Majesty also gives presents to her staff, handing some out personally at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. As started by George V, the Queen continues the tradition of handing out Christmas puddings to her staff. She also donates Christmas trees to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Giles' Cathedral and the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, and donates money to charities in Windsor. Churches and Schools in the Sandringham area also receive a tree.
Charity work for the royals in 2019 included the TV documentary, ‘A Berry Royal Christmas,’ when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, joined by Mary Berry, brought together the volunteers who work over the Christmas period, for some of the charities of which they are patron. The trio created a party to thank the volunteers, with recipes from Mary Berry, and visited the work of the charities. Another charity event is the annual party held by the Duchess of Cornwall, who invites children helped by the charities Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, who are terminally ill. The children meet real reindeer and help decorate the tree at Clarence House. This year, Prince Harry sent a video of himself dressed as Santa to children at the Scotty's Little Soldiers Christmas party, for bereaved Armed Forces children. The video appears to have been filmed in Canada, so suggests that is where the family of 3 are staying.