Royal CHRISTMAS: Why the royals WON’T give each other presents on Christmas day
CHRISTMAS is approaching and for most Britons that means presents under the tree on Christmas Day. However, this is not the case for the British royal family.
Christmas will soon be upon us and the British royal family, like most families, have their own way of celebrating the happy holiday. But unlike most British families the royals won’t find any presents under the tree on Christmas Day. Here is why.
The British royal family will not give each other presents on Christmas Day because they follow a German tradition over Christmas.
Instead of gifting each other presents on Christmas Day the royal family will exchange their gifts at teatime on Christmas Eve.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady 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.”
But present giving among the royal isn’t just wrapping up the gift and leaving it under the tree.
On Christmas Eve, presents are placed on a white linen-covered trestle table, with cards marking exactly where the piles of gifts should be put.
Tapes mark out sections for each family member and any of the Queen’s household who is on duty for the weekend.
All members of the royal household will receive gifts from the Queen.
Some gifts she will personally hand out to staff at Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle ahead of Christmas.
The staff will also receive a Christmas pudding by the reigning monarch.
This is a tradition introduced by her father, King George VI and her grandfather George V.
Approximately 1,500 Christmas pudding paid by Queen Elizabeth through the Privy Purse is given out to the staff.
The royal family traditionally spends Christmas at Sandringham House.
The Norfolk estate has been the go-to place for the royals over the holiday since 1988.
And as millions of British children will be opening presents on Christmas day, the royal children will attend a Church service at St. Mary Magdalene in Sandringham with their family.
This is a tradition which dates back to the Queen’s great-great grandmother Queen Victoria in the 16th century.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
