Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world when they announced their dramatic exit from the Royal Family almost four years ago.
03.01.2024 - 16:51 / ok.co.uk
The late Queen used to keep her Christmas decorations up until February, unlike the rest of us who pack away our festive decor in early January. The Queen would spend her Christmas holidays at Sandringham and stay there until early February to mark the anniversary of her father George VI's death, who passed away in his sleep on February 6. The festive decorations at the estate would remain up until the Queen left, often a few days after the anniversary.
It's still unknown if King Charles, who has celebrated two Christmases as monarch, follows this tradition. Interestingly, one of Charles' centrepiece decorations at Buckingham Palace was removed even before Christmas ended. He delivered his second-ever Christmas broadcast from a room decorated with a living Christmas tree.
For the first time, a living tree was used as part of the backdrop for Charles' annual festive address to the nation and Commonwealth.
The tree, adorned with natural and sustainable decorations, was replanted after the broadcast on Christmas Day. Charles and Queen Camilla are believed to still be at Sandringham and were seen arriving for a New Year's Eve church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Sunday morning. Members of the public were searched by police as they waited to see the royals.
Charles and Camilla, both holding unopened umbrellas, smiled and waved at royal fans. This comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's hope for 'redemption' in 2024 is thought to have been 'ruined' following their decision to not join the Royal Family for Christmas, and stay in California instead. Royal author Phil Dampier has suggested that Harry and Meghan have squandered any chance of rehabilitating their image, and relationship with the Royal
.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world when they announced their dramatic exit from the Royal Family almost four years ago.
Sarah Ferguson was 'grateful' to be part of the Royal Family's Christmas getaway at Sandringham as she joined other senior members of the Firm for the first time in 30 years outside St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day.
After years of being ostracized by the royal family, Sarah Ferguson appears to be back in the fold once again!
The Royal Family owns homes, castles and palaces all over the country with many of them being bought with private funds. While events such as Easter are spent at Windsor Castle, Christmas is typically enjoyed at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Last year's festive period was a huge step forward for more reasons than one.
King Charles has reportedly adopted Prince Harry's role of jokester this year over the Christmas period.
From travelling the world to living in palaces, it would be hard to argue that being a member of the royal family didn't come without its perks. But alongside these benefits comes a long list of rules that members of the family must remember and comply with. In terms of fashion and beauty, there are ample style regulations put in place that must be followed at all times.This includes things from no bright nail varnish to female royals not being allowed to take their coats off while in public - no matter the temperature.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's hopes of a Christmas reunion in the UK have been dashed due to fresh drama. Fans were hoping that 2023 might be the year the couple would patch things up with the rest of the Royal Family and spend Christmas at Sandringham. In recent months, there have been whispers from sources close to Harry and Meghan suggesting they were keen on spending the festive season with their extended family in Britain.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed another Christmas at Sandringham after fans hoped 2023 could be the year the pair make amends with the rest of the Firm.
Photos have emerged of the royal family attending their Christmas Day Service at Sandringham!
The royal family marked Christmas Day by attending the traditional festive church service on the King’s Sandringham estate.
Along with cringey cracker jokes, fights over the best Quality Street chocolate and post-lunch naps in front of the TV, Christmas Day would not feel right if we didn’t see the royals heading off on their seasonal trip to church. While the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham is a strictly private affair, all eyes turn on the family as they make their way there, often stopping to chat to locals who gather to give their seasonal greetings. Last year, the family headed to church for the first time without Queen Elizabeth II leading the way.
Following Buckingham Palace's release of King Charles and Queen Camilla's Christmas card, you may be wondering exactly how many people it will be sent to all over the world. Unbelievably, the image will be delivered to more than 750 people around to world - including to foreign diplomats, international leaders, Heads of State, friends, family and members of staff.
While they observe many of the festive traditions that a popular all over the UK, the Royal Family's Christmas is also unique and unexpected in many ways. One of the most well-known royal Christmas traditions is the fact that members of the family buy each other joke gifts, rather than serious ones, with previous presents including a singing hamster, a 'grow your own girlfriend kit' and even a leather toilet seat. Among these hilarious gifts was one Prince Harry decided to give to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Gift-giving can be a challenging affair when your nearest and dearest already own priceless jewels, designer clothes and luxury cars. So instead of splashing out on expensive, over-the-top items, the royals don’t take seasonal gifting seriously.
Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. “We’re probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.
The Royal Family will be counting down the days to Christmas where they will return to the Sandringham Estate and spend time together as a family. When it comes to what the royals choose to eat during the festive period, it is said their choices couldn't be more traditional with former royal chef Darren McGrady going as far to describe the family's meal choices as "boring".
The Royal Family will be gathering in Sandringham to celebrate Christmas together, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won't be joining in on the fun.
The royals have enjoyed spending Christmas at Sandringham for decades, and after creating so many special memories there with the late Queen, the King seems keen for them to keep making more. “Christmas at Sandringham has been absolutely central to the family for years, and that legacy looks certain to continue with Charles,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.
Members of the Royal Family will spend Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk with their annual trip to church and a host of festive traditions. One of which is opening their presents on Christmas Eve, a tradition they've held for years. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be hosting Christmas this year, joined by their families including Prince William and Kate Middleton along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Christmas is a time to let our hair down and pop open the champagne to celebrate the festive season with our loved ones. But for members of the Royal Family, it's not quite as easy as that, as they have a booze rule they always follow. This year, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be hosting Christmas at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with both sides of their family taking part in the festivities.