For the first time, Queen Elizabeth II will have to spend Christmas without her beloved Prince Philip. Fortunately, the traditions of the British family offer plenty of support.
Sandringham – Every family has their own Christmas traditions and the UK royalty is no exception. The Christmas tree in Sandringham has already been set up, now the royals only have to go to the country estate in the Norfolk parish. This is how the Windsors usually celebrate the festival of love. *
Christmas at the Windsors: this is how the British royals celebrate
Big family dinner
A week before Christmas, Queen Elizabeth II * (95) invites the extended royal family to lunch at Buckingham Palace. This solemnity offers an opportunity for the entire Windsor House to see each other in person before the actual event. The Queen’s cousins will party with their immediate relatives and not at Sandringham. This year the Queen is reportedly considering giving a public speech in Windsor Castle Gardens. *
The queen travels (traditionally) by train
Her Majesty is expected to travel by helicopter this year given her age and health. Usually the head of the British crown gets on the train to get from Windsor Castle to Sandringham. Photos of the Queen with a headscarf and a warm coat are part of the British feeling for Christmas.
Christmas Eve in Sandringham
Once the Windsors have taken their afternoon tea on Christmas Eve, gifts are exchanged, with neatly wrapped parcels spread out on the tables and passed around. Duchess Kate * (39) has in view that Prince George * (8), Princess Charlotte * (6) and Prince Louis * (3) are not showered with gifts.
Christmas at the Windsors: The Queen’s speech is a highlight
St. Mary Magdalene on Boxing Day
On the morning of Christmas Day, the church bells of St. Mary Magdalene ring at 11 a.m. for the Christmas service. After church, children bring flowers to the queen while the family goes on a traditional walking tour. The pictures of the Windsors are mostly shown on all news channels of the kingdom and for many represent the climax of the Christmas festivities.
You can find even more exciting nobility topics in the free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.
Turkey meal
The turkey is Norfolk’s pride and joy and is already sizzling in the oven when the royals make their way to church. At 1 p.m., the Windsors settle down for Christmas dinner. The famous Christmas pudding concludes.
The Queen’s Address
The regent’s annual address to her country and the Commonwealth is an integral part far beyond Great Britain. Continuing the tradition of her grandfather, King George V (70, †1936), Elizabeth II turns to the nations on the afternoon of Christmas Day. Mostly it is about a time-relevant topic, but the monarch also takes up personal milestones of the Windsors. The time is set: the Queen speaks to the Commonwealth at 3 p.m.
Christmas with the family
The evening of December 25th corresponds to Christmas Eve as it is celebrated in Germany. The Windsors play (everything except Monopoly *) with the kids, watch TV, maybe make music and enjoy the rare family time like any other family. * 24royal.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubric lists: © Alastair Grant / dpa
