The Royal Family’s quirky Christmas traditions have become the stuff of legend, from swapping gifts on Christmas Eve to jokingly banning the game Monopoly because it becomes too “vicious”. Another funny tradition sees them buy each other joke gifts at Christmas time, with previous presents including a leather toilet seat, a ‘grown your own girlfriend kit’ and even a shower cap which had “Ain’t life a b****” written on it.
For newcomers celebrating the big day at Sandringham, the pressure of buying gifts for the family must be enormous. Meghan Markle certainly struck gold with her first Christmas present for the late Queen, much to the monarch’s delight.
The inspiration behind their unique gift exchange traces back to Queen Victoria and has been passed down through generations. The royals honour the German tradition of unveiling presents on the eve before Christmas.
In 2021, Royal expert Robert Jobson shared with The Express, “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.”
He revealed the ins and outs of their yuletide custom, noting, “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.”
The Royal Family will be returning to Sandringham this year (
Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)
The royal guests are treated to a traditional Christmas, complete with tree decorating and the exchange of quirky, inexpensive gifts. Meghan Markle nailed her first festive season with the Royals by gifting the late Queen a singing toy hamster, which reportedly delighted Her Majesty as she quipped: “It can keep my dogs company.
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While these presents are typically funny, the Princess of Wales once opted for a more heartfelt gesture. In a 2016 ITV documentary honouring the Queen’s 90th birthday, Kate shared the story behind her gift, saying: “I can remember being at Sandringham, for the first time, at Christmas. And I was worried what to give the Queen as her Christmas present.”
She continued: “I was thinking, ‘Gosh, what should I give her? ‘ I thought back to what I would give my own grandparents. And I thought, ‘I’ll make her something,’ which could have gone horribly wrong. But I decided to make my granny’s recipe for chutney.”
“I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table. I think such a simple gesture went such a long way for me and I’ve noticed since she’s done that on lots of occasions and I think it just shows her thoughtfulness, really, and her care in looking after everybody.”
A source revealed: “Meghan bought a little hamster that sings with a little rope for Her Majesty. It was so funny, especially when the corgis tried to take hold of the toy.”
Sadly, the Queen’s joy was short-lived as her corgis destroyed the toy before Christmas Day had ended.
