Inside Royal Family's eye-opening Christmas plans - 'betrayal' by Corgis, 'challenging' kids and guest in a caravan
When life is a whirl of state visits, ceremonies and public meet-and-greets, having a bolthole to escape to at Christmas is key. For the King, Sandringham House in Norfolk fits the bill. “Sandringham IS Christmas. It has a very special place in the hearts of the royals,” says royal commentator Duncan Larcombe. “Cameras are rarely invited in, so it’s one of their most private residences. They feel 100% at ease there.”
Despite an estimated 29 bedrooms, “it’s small by royal standards,” says author Ingrid Seward of the fine country house, which is set in 20,000 sprawling acres of woodland, fields and orchards. “Guests often have to stay in vacated servants’ quarters or cottages in the grounds. But if the King beckons, people go, so it’s up to him. One year, there were so many people, Princess Anne pitched up with a caravan that she used at horse shows and she stayed in that.”
The King has made a few minor adjustments, reportedly with the help of his sister-in-law Annabel Elliot, an interior designer and antiques dealer. “There are limitations to what he can alter as it’s a Jacobean Grade II listed building,” says royal expert Robert Jobson. “But Charles and Camilla like things a little more luxurious than the late Queen, so they’ve introduced some nice little touches. The decor, towels and toiletries are more ‘classy country home’ than ‘stark hotel’ these days. His mother had paintings of horses on the walls. These have gradually changed to reflect the King’s own interests.”
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For an old house, Sandringham is surprisingly warm. In his book Spare , the Duke of Sussex recalls how he and his father would conspire, unsuccessfully, to open the windows. “Much of Sandringham was balmy, but the dining room was subtropical,” he wrote. “The corgis betrayed us. The cool air would make them whimper, and Granny would say: Is there a draft? And then a footman would promptly shut the window.”
During the late Queen’s reign there was a strict 72-hour festive timetable handed out by the Master of the Household, instructing when guests should wake up, gather for drinks, eat meals and go to bed.
“The schedule still exists and it’s really quite exhausting,” says Robert. “One minute you’re doing one thing, then you have to change for drinks, then get changed again for dinner. There’s a lot going on and formality and routine is part of that. But it’s not the military-style operation that Prince Philip oversaw. Back then, if you weren’t where you were supposed to be at the correct time, there was trouble! The King is less rigid so there’s more fluidity with timings.”
The royals begin arriving in Norfolk in order of seniority, gathering for tea at 4pm on Christmas Eve in the White Drawing Room. Described by Queen Victoria as “a very long and handsome” room, it’s like a wedding cake come to life with exquisite cream panelling and carvings. At 6pm, their traditional Christmas Eve gift opening begins.
Prince Philip used to host a pre-dinner reception at 7.30pm sharp, pouring the strong drinks himself. The family will still gather for a tipple – the King is partial to a gin martini, stirred not shaken, while Queen Camilla favours a gin and tonic.
“The main event is the candle-lit Christmas Eve dinner,” says Duncan. “When the late Queen was alive it was a very formal black tie affair with the women dressed in gowns and tiaras, and the menu written in French. It’s more relaxed now. Most of the children are potentially old enough to take part – even Louis. But Charles isn’t the radical reformer people thought he might be. He’s still a traditionalist. The others will show their respect for him as head of the family and no one will sit down for dinner until he’s seated.”
It can be 10pm before dinner is finished. Card games are played and classic Christmas films are shown in the ballroom. The Prince and Princess of Wales will make their polite excuses and go home to Anmer Hall – William once confided that the children were up at 5am the next day to see what Santa had brought them.
“Christmas Day at Sandringham House kicks off with a breakfast buffet,” explains Duncan. “The whole family then walk – the King might be driven – to St Mary Magdalene Church for the 45-minute service. This classic photo opportunity is the only part of their Christmas on public display.”
The 16th-century church is stunning inside, with carved angels framing the silver altar. The royals take up over a quarter of the pews, while regular members of the congregation have to apply for a seat weeks in advance, to allow for security checks. The service starts at 11am with the National Anthem, according to Tony Fitzsavage who was the organist for 39 years. He never knew whether the late Queen joined in with the singing, admitting on Channel 5’s Sandringham: The King At Christmas , “Her mouth would be moving but I couldn’t tell whether there was any sound coming out.”
You may have noticed the very formal manner in which members of the family greet King Charles and Queen Camilla outside the church. “Even on Christmas Day, the family has to bow or courtesy when they first encounter the King and Queen,” says Ingrid. “It might seem strange to us, but they’re so used to doing it, there’s no awkwardness.”
After the service, the royals are inundated by cheery greetings and gifts from well wishers. “George and Charlotte are very used to it now but for Louis, it’s still part of the learning process,” says Robert. “If one of the children is being a bit challenging, their parents will have a quiet word.”
After a glass or two of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Christmas dinner is served at 1pm on the dot. “They’ll dine in the drawing room if there’s space, but if not, in one of the larger ballrooms. And the staff will be waiting on them hand and foot – Camilla won’t have to get up and scrape the dishes,” says Duncan.
Crackers are pulled, complete with corny jokes that the Queen used to love reading aloud. “Then they’ll retire to the saloon to watch the King’s pre-recorded Christmas message at 3pm, all standing for the National Anthem,” he adds. The huge double-height room, complete with Minstrel’s gallery, wood panelling and chandeliers, is where they’ll spend the rest of the afternoon, watching TV and playing games. If the weather holds, they’ll go for a brisk walk around the grounds and of course on Boxing Day, the traditional shoot takes place.
There’s one old-fashioned Sandringham tradition that most likely fizzled out long ago – the infamous royal weigh in. Rumour has it that guests were weighed at the start and end of their festive Sandringham stay. The practice dated back to Edward VII who wanted to make sure everyone was well fed.
“I know it used to take place but I very much doubt it still does,” says Robert. “It’s simply part of folklore now.”
