PRINCE GEORGE, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis do not get to keep all of their Christmas presents, according to an unearthed account.
The Cambridges attended a church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Her Majesty’s Sandringham estate.
They later welcomed other members of the Middleton family to the 10-bedroom Anmer Hall.
Being a royal child brings many privileges, including early access to Christmas presents.
The Royal Family follow a long-lasting tradition in line with their German heritage.
William and Kate with George, Charlotte and Louis. (Image: Kensington Palace)
The Cambridges at a pantomime show last Christmas. (Image: GETTY)
While the majority of families on British soil wait until Christmas Day to open their presents, the royals open theirs on Christmas Eve.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady once said: “The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations.
“After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition.”
William and Kate do, however, hold some gifts back to extend the excitement to the big day.
Prince Charles and Camilla joined the Queen at Windsor. (Image: GETTY)
Most, however, they do not get to keep. Instead, only a selection are taken into the royal household.
A royal source told Us Weekly in 2017 that William and Kate’s “worst nightmare” is spoiling their children too much.
The source added: “They’re both extremely careful.
Wiliam and Kate spent Christmas at Anmer Hall with the Middleton family. (Image: GETTY)
“Receiving that many gifts wouldn’t have a good effect on the kids.”
This was confirmed by a Kensington Palace spokesperson at the time.
They explained: “Some items will be taken into the home and others stored within the Royal Household.
“On occasion, and where appropriate, items may be donated to organisations who can make good use of them.
William and Kate at a Christmas carol concert earlier this month. (Image: GETTY)
“Their Royal Highnesses are incredibly grateful for the warmth and generosity that has been extended to their children from members of the public.”
While the younger royals will make their own Christmas lists, the adults tend to opt for amusing gifts for one another.
Meghan Markle has history with comical gifts, particularly to the Queen. She was reported to have bought Her Majesty a singing toy hamster in 2017, her royal Christmas debut.
Prince Harry, too, regularly pulls out the stops for his grandmother.
Meghan and Harry’s unofficial autobiography, Finding Freedom, claimed another of Harry’s gifts went down equally well.
The book said: “Another time, he gifted his grandmother a Big Mouth Billy Bass singing toy that was said to sit proudly in Balmoral.”
Harry had been the butt of the jokes with Christmas presents on occasion too. Before he started dating Meghan, and was single after a string of failed relationships, Kate bought him a ‘Grow Your Own Girlfriend’ kit.
As the Royal Family all open their presents together in the Sandringham drawing room, the entire family would have watched Harry open the comical gift.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
