Inside the Unconventional Christmas Traditions of the British Royal Family

The royal household is known for its peculiar seasonal customs and unique way of celebrating Christmas.

Unlike any other British family, the centuries-old institution of the royal family has a number of traditions that set it apart.

With historical roots, the Windsors add their own special touch to the festivities.

While most people around the world celebrate Christmas Day on the 25th, the royal family places more emphasis on Christmas Eve.

This is especially true for Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and young Prince Louis, who open their presents on the 24th, following the German tradition.

As descendants of German heritage, the royal family incorporates German customs into their celebrations, as explained by Darren McGrady, a former royal chef.

In Germany, presents are opened after afternoon tea on Christmas Eve.

For the joyous occasion, the Prince and Princess of Wales go above and beyond, but their gifts are not as extravagant as one might expect from royalty.

According to a source who spoke with Marie Claire, Kate and William make sure not to overly spoil their children, but they do let the rules slide during Christmas.

In 2021, the boys received a climbing structure, camping supplies, and walkie-talkies, while Princess Charlotte got a video camera.

The source also mentioned that despite the royal family's custom of opening gifts on Christmas Eve, the three young royals also unwrap presents on Christmas Day.

Apart from their distinctive gifting practices, the royals also have an unconventional approach to Christmas lunch.

Although they come together for a traditional Christmas dinner on December 25, the family is not seated as a single unit.

The children are fed separately and kept away from the rest of the family until they reach a certain age.

According to Mr. McGrady, the children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to behave properly at the dining table.

This ensured that the late queen never had to deal with noisy children during the holiday festivities.

In the Victorian era, the nanny took care of the children, who belonged in the nursery, reminiscent of the setting in “Downton Abbey.”

The royal family's Christmas traditions are a fascinating blend of historical customs and their own unique touch.

From opening presents on Christmas Eve to keeping the children separate during Christmas lunch, the Windsors continue to uphold their distinctive practices.

While they may be unlike any other family, these traditions add an extra layer of charm and intrigue to the royal Christmas celebrations.