Unique way Queen did her Christmas shopping at Windsor Castle will make you jealous
The Royal Family are known for their funny trend of buying one another comical gifts at Christmas time - but the late Queen did often use a different method to do her shopping, according to one former royal insider. When it comes to buying gifts for the people who have everything, what do you choose? Despite it likely being a challenge, only the best would do for Queen Elizabeth's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
So much so, that the late monarch introduced an unbelievably clever method to get her Christmas shopping done without leaving the comfort of her own home. The brilliant story was revealed by former royal butler, Paul Burrell. While the late Queen and the Royal Family are known to buy one another amusing gifts, the monarch had another rather unusual method to do her shopping which was explained by Diana, Princess of Wales' former butler, Paul.
He told Closer magazine: "Firstly, she has catalogues sent to her, and then the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis sends her a selection of almost everything they stock. There is a little ‘shop’ set up in the drawing room at Windsor Castle and the Queen can pop in and choose gifts at her leisure. Late at night, after dinner, usually around 10pm, she’ll pop into her little Christmas shop and do some shopping.
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“The Queen always chooses practical gifts that can be used – never ornaments or decorative things. So she might pick some picnic plates, a tablecloth, or a couple of hand towels. Then they are wrapped up and a truckload of presents are ready to go to Sandringham.”
While a personal shop in Windsor Castle is impressive enough, another incredible revelation about the monarch's shopping habits were revealed by former Lady-in-Waiting and close friend to the monarch, Lady Anne Glenconner in her book Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown.
She explained that during a royal tour to Sydney in 1975 with Princess Margaret, Australian diplomat Sir Roden Cutler VC was surprised at the princess’s request to go shopping.
“I didn’t think the Royal Family went shopping,” he said. “I represent the Queen and I have never heard of her going shopping.”
Correcting him, Lady Glenconner responded, “Actually, the Queen goes shopping. She recently went to Harrods to choose some Christmas presents. My mother is a Lady of the Bedchamber and she went with her.”
When the time to exchange gifts comes around, the royals have their own twist which dates back to something started by the late Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. The royals follow the traditional German festive custom of opening presents on Christmas Eve.
Royal expert Robert Jobson told The Express in 2021: “On Christmas Eve when all the clan are together, the Queen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren put the finishing touches to the 20ft Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room.
"Presents will be opened that day at tea time as the royals still keep to the German practice of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. Gifts are laid out in the Red Drawing Room on a white linen-covered trestle table, with cards marking exactly where the piles of gifts should be put.
"Once everyone has arrived, the royal guests enjoy a traditional Christmas that includes putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree and the giving of cheap and humorous gifts."
