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1The Queen Takes the Train to Sandringham
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty ImagesPer the Evening Standard (and photographed here), the Queen and Prince Philip like to take the train to King's Lynn station in Norfolk, close to Sandringham Estate. Of course, they travel in First Class.
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2Everyone Watches the Christmas Broadcast
Fox Photos//Getty ImagesHere, Queen Elizabeth II is pictured on December 25, 1952, making her very first Christmas broadcast to the United Kingdom. Every year, the Queen gives her speech, which is now broadcast on TV, in which she reflects on the year, and looks ahead to the future. Last year, Queen Elizabeth famously welcomed Meghan Markle into the family during her broadcast.
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3They Send a Plethora of Christmas Cards
Chris Jackson//Getty ImagesAccording to PopSugar, the Queen always signs her Christmas cards during the summer months when she is on vacation in Balmoral. Per the publication, she will sign a "stack of around 800 cards" during that time, ready for the festive season ahead.
The royal family's official website places the number of cards sent by Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth at around 750, which is more than a little impressive.
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4They Attend a Christmas Church Service
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5Christmas Lunch Is Served After Church
Georges De Keerle//Getty ImagesFormer royal chef, Darren McGrady, reveals to Good Housekeeping that the royals enjoy a big, traditional Christmas lunch after they've attended the morning church service. McGrady explains, "After church, that's when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert. They stick with the same meal year after year."
McGrady shares several of his royal family approved recipes in his book, The Royal Chef at Home.
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6The Royals Host Holiday Parties
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesEach of the royals is associated with a number of different charities and organizations, all of which they endeavor to support throughout the year. It was recently revealed that Kate and William are hosting parties for RAF personnel and their families in London and Cyprus this Christmas.
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7Christmas Presents Are Opened on Christmas Eve
Tim Graham//Getty ImagesFormer royal chef, Darren McGrady, told Good Housekeeping, that gifting is important at Christmas in the royal household. He explains, "The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition."
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8Decorating the Christmas Tree Is an Important Family Tradition
Hulton Archive//Getty ImagesThe royal family's Christmas tree is often talked about. Former royal chef Darren McGrady tells Good Housekeeping that "the royal family has a large Christmas tree and a large silver artificial tree in the dining room, which is about 30 years old.”
The Queen lets her great-grandchildren decorate one of the trees, and revealed in a documentary earlier this year, "Yes, that is always the problem, is the children love knocking those [decorations] off. Well my great-grandchildren do, anyway they enjoy themselves."
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9The Queen Has Several Christmas Trees
Jack Taylor//Getty ImagesAll of the Queen's residences are decorated for the holiday season. Recently, the Daily Mail revealed that a huge tree was being decorated in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle. Described as a "spectacular 20ft Nordmann fir," it's apparently "decorated with golden baubles and pine cones, hundreds of fairy lights, and even tiny replica crowns," which is more than a little inspiring.
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10Prince Charles Leads the Gift-Giving
Matthew Horwood//Getty ImagesPer former royal chef, Darren McGrady, in Good Housekeeping, on Christmas eve, "When the Prince of Wales arrives, his valet will take him up to his room while his cargo is unloaded. All of his Christmas gifts get placed on trestle tables for each member of the royal family. "
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11Joke Gifts Are Exchanged
Chris Jackson//Getty ImagesAccording to The Sun, "Prince Charles’s favorite-ever gift is reportedly a white leather toilet seat from Princess Anne, which he found so comfy that it now travels with him on his overseas tours." Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that Kate Middleton even gave Prince Harry a "Grow Your Own Girlfriend" kit, back when he was still single.
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12Christmas Eve Football Game
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesIt's become a bit of a tradition for Prince William and Prince Harry to play in a football game on Christmas Eve. PopSugar reports that the princes play "alongside workers from the Sandringham Estate" while wearing socks supporting their teams: "Aston Villa for William and Arsenal for Harry."
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13They'll Play Charades
Matt Cardy//Getty ImagesAccording to Good Housekeeping, the royals will play a game of Charades after lunch. Apparently professional actress Meghan Markle has been asked to tone down her acting skills during the game so as not to upset the Queen, via Glamour.
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14They Toast the Chef
Chris Jackson//Getty ImagesPer The Independent, Queen Elizabeth likes to toast the senior chef before the royals tuck into the Christmas buffet. Apparently she will give a glass of whisky to the chef, which is "the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the royal family. It’s one of the chef’s favourite traditions." Understandably.
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15They Eat Shooting Lunches
Chris Jackson//Getty ImagesFormer royal chef Darren McGrady revealed to The Today Show that he would prepare multiple Christmas meals, depending on the activities of the day. For instance, McGrady said, "Shooting lunches at Sandringham and Balmoral Castle always had to be hearty meals — lots of stews with mashed potatoes. Beef bourguignon could be made with beef or with venison off the estate," with the Queen preferring venison.
McGrady shares several of his royal family approved recipes in his book, The Royal Chef at Home.
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16The Queen Donates Money
Hulton Archive//Getty ImagesPer the royal family's official website, the Queen donates money to local charities in Windsor every year on Christmas, so that she can give back to the local community.
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17The Royals Attend a Black-Tie Dinner on Christmas Eve
Chris Jackson//Getty ImagesPopSugar reports that Christmas Eve tradition for the royal family sees everyone attend a black-tie dinner, at which they drink cocktails such as the Queen's alleged favorite, "the Zaza," which is apparently made from Dubonnet and gin.
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18Candy Is Crucial
Samir Hussein//Getty ImagesPer Darren McGrady in Good Housekeeping,"The queen is a major chocoholic, particularly dark chocolate, so she always has a chocolate treat on Christmas. She also loves mint."
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19The Queen Leaves Her Decorations Up Until February
Fox Photos//Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip traditionally stay at Sandringham until February 6 each year, to honor the Queen's father, King George VI, who died on the estate in 1952. The Christmas decorations stay up for the duration of their stay, per Architectural Digest.
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20Queen Elizabeth Gives Gifts to Local Schools
WPA Pool//Getty ImagesWhen it comes to the holiday season, Queen Elizabeth is a generous gift giver. Per PopSugar, "Her staff receive gift vouchers... and she has Christmas trees from the Sandringham Estate sent to local schools and churches." The royal family's official website confirms that the Queen actually hand delivers some of the gifts.
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.
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