The royal family is known for their strict adherence to protocol and tradition, but behind closed doors, they have a playful side that comes out during the Christmas season. Each year, the royal family participates in a gift-giving tradition that involves exchanging joke gifts that are often raunchy and humorous. This tradition takes place at the Sandringham estate, where family members have a small stack of gifts arranged on tables for each other.
According to a senior palace aide, the gifts are meant to make people laugh rather than impress, with cheeky and naughty presents taking center stage. For example, Kate once gave Prince Harry a ‘Grow Your Own Girlfriend’ kit before he met Meghan Markle. Other unconventional gifts include Princess Anne gifting King Charles a white leather toilet seat, referencing his habit of taking his own toilet seat on royal tours.
While some royals opt for raunchy gifts, others like Princess Kate have chosen more sentimental presents. On her first Christmas with the royals, she gifted the Queen homemade chutney based on her grandmother’s recipe. Racy calendars with subtle nudity and whimsical musical hamsters have also made the list of novelty gifts.
The royal family enjoys receiving cheeky gifts as it allows them to let their hair down and have some fun behind the palace walls. This tradition dates back decades and is a rare opportunity for the royals to enjoy each other’s company in a playful manner.
In addition to the gift-giving tradition, the royal family has a structured Christmas day routine that includes a pre-Christmas lunch, church services, a televised Christmas speech by the monarch, walks around the Sandringham estate, games, and a candlelit dinner with a gargantuan iced cake. Guests are expected to follow certain protocols, such as entering the dining room in order of seniority and pulling Christmas crackers after the meal.
Historical traditions like weighing guests before and after the festive feast and distributing Christmas puddings to palace staff continue to be part of the royal Christmas celebrations. These traditions add to the festive and formal atmosphere of the royal family’s Christmas celebrations.
