See inside the opulent room where Royal Family watch King's speech on Christmas Day
As ever, it is an action-packed schedule that greets the royals who arrive at Sandringham to celebrate Christmas with King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla. The monarch may have updated things somewhat since his rein began, but little has changed since the late Queen Elizabeth’s time as host, when there was a strictly adhered-to 72-hour festive timetable handed out by the Master of the Household.
In it, guests would read detailed instructions on when they should wake up, gather for drinks, eat meals and even go to bed. “The schedule still exists and it’s really quite exhausting,” says royal author Robert Jobson. “One minute you’re doing one thing, then you have to change for drinks, then get changed again for dinner.”
Following what is widely described by guests over the years as a joyous, if chaotic, Christmas Eve where everyone gathers to open their presents, Christmas Day involves many elements, including the famous walk to church - the only part of the royals’ festivities which are not private - a glass or two of bubbly (Veuve Clicquot Champagne) and then Christmas dinner, served at precisely 1pm.
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After dinner is over and the novelty crackers have been pulled (complete with corny jokes which Charles’ late mother used to particularly relish as she read them aloud), everyone moves to the stunning saloon for another key element of proceedings - which is also often where they enjoy afternoon tea together on Christmas Eve. “They retire there to watch the King’s pre-recorded Christmas message at 3pm, all standing for the National Anthem,” explains Jobson.
The vast, double-height room, complete with Minstrel’s gallery (originally built to house the band, when the space was previously used as a ballroom), wood panelling and chandeliers, is where the gathered royals spend the rest of the afternoon, watching TV and playing games, after which - if the fickle British weather holds - they may go for a brisk walk around the grounds.
The impressive saloon of this nineteenth century house, located at the entrance to the house and spans two floors, has always traditionally been the room in which the royals would meet and relax together, complete with a wooden dining table, cream sofas and a piano, topped with photos.
On Christmas Day, it will be in this very grand room that the King, his family and many grandchildren sit down together to watch the stirring speech which the monarch gives to the nation, as much a part of the day right across the country as Christmas dinner, or gathering to enjoy our favourite TV specials.
