How the Royals Are Spending Christmas 2024
What are the royals doing for Christmas 2024? L'OFFICIEL has the inside scoop on how the British family is enjoying their holiday season.
For the British royal family, Christmas is a time steeped in tradition, elegance, and family unity. Each year, their holiday celebrations reflect a blend of time-honored customs and modern touches, offering a glimpse into their private lives during one of the most festive seasons of the year. Although there have been changes throughout the past years with the passing of Queen Elizabeth, Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis, and King Charles' cancer treatment, the family is still celebrating how they would any other year.
The royal family traditionally gathers at Sandringham House, the Queen’s beloved Norfolk estate, to celebrate Christmas. The sprawling property, nestled in the English countryside, provides the perfect backdrop for a quintessentially British holiday. This tradition, dating back to the reign of King George V, continues to be an anchor for the family’s festive season. Sandringham’s stately halls come alive with garlands, towering Christmas trees, and a warm, inviting ambiance. It’s a retreat where the family can unwind and enjoy each other’s company away from the public eye, or as far away as they can get.
Unlike most families who save the big day for December 25, the royal family follows the German custom of opening gifts on Christmas Eve. In a lighthearted moment of respite from their royal duties, they exchange presents during an informal tea gathering in the Red Drawing Room.
As gifts are already opened by Christmas morning, the family takes this time to walk together to St. Mary Magdalene Church, a centuries-old building located on the Sandringham estate. This public outing has become a favorite among royal watchers, who gather to catch a glimpse of the family as they greet the crowds. Following the service, the royals return to Sandringham for a traditional Christmas feast, featuring classic dishes such as roast turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings. The meal is a nod to British culinary heritage, prepared with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Although it's easy to imagine the royals doing something crazy and grand for Christmas, they actually spend the day doing what most normal families would also do: sitting around the fireplace playing board games, charades, and just some quality family time. Balancing public responsibilities with private moments, the royals create a holiday season that honors both their history and their personal connections.
As they gather at Sandringham for Christmas, the British royal family once again proves that, even in the most extraordinary lives, the heart of the holidays is family.
