Royal Family’s Christmas Day schedule revealed – including Prince Andrew being banned from palace
THE Royal Family’s Christmas Day schedule is set to be busy.
Royal experts have weighed in on what the big day will look like for The Firm – and it’s likely to follow the 12 Christmas traditions.
But, there will be a few differences this year – including the King’s inaugural Christmas speech and “more lavish” festivities.
When it comes to the traditions, the Royal Family are already all at Sandringham.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun Online: “The royals usually arrive the day before Christmas and they arrive in order of seniority.
“The least important members arrive first.”
Richard said once everybody had arrived, the festivities would begin – with decorating the Christmas tree.
They would have also exchanged “joke gifts” last night, Richard added: “The presents are laid out in the red drawing room at Sandringham and these are joke gifts.
“The Royals don’t give each other expensive presents.
“It’s a joke or cheap present – what do you give to the family who has everything.”
The family would have also enjoyed a formal black-tie dinner, Richard said.
Then, this morning the royal group would have come together at St Mary’s Church.
The private, intimate gathering is for those who wish to attend – and there are no cameras or spectators.
King Charles was already photographed wandering to the service this morning.
Then, senior members of the family have a duty to attend church in a public display.
Later today the family will return to from the church for their traditional, three-course Christmas lunch.
FOOD AND GAMES
A royal expert recently took to TikTok revealing bizarre etiquette rules for the lunch.
They include a salt and pepper ritual, how to hold glasses and a cue for everyone to stop eating.
The Family will then walk off their huge Christmas lunch, and wander around the grounds of Sandringham as the young royals get some fresh air and play.
After their stroll, the entire family traditionally gather to watch the King’s Christmas message at 3pm.
Then a light afternoon tea will then be put on for The Firm.
As the day comes draws to a close the adults will relax while the children play with their gifts.
The festive day will come to an end with an evening buffet.
And, with a few nibbles, the family will wind down and enjoy some quality time together.
They will then all play games as they devour their evening buffet.
Although it’s not certain which they play, Richard said it’s likely they’ll have some fun with a round or two of charades.
But there will be some changes throughout the day this year.
CHRISTMAS CHANGES
It will be a day of reflection as it’s the family’s first Christmas without the Queen.
This will see King Charles’ inaugral Christmas speech be televised at 3pm.
Prince Andrew will reunite with his brother after King Charles threw him out of Buckingham Palace.
The Sun Exclusively revealed on Friday that the Duke, 62, was no longer allowed an office in the palace after the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
One other change royal expert and author Ingrid Seward said is the day will be “more lavish” than usual as the King has “high standards”, the Mirror reported.
Today, Prince William and Princess Kate shared an adorable Christmas painting by Prince George.
The proud parents took to social media to share the talented nine-year-old’s work this morning.
Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that William and Kate will have a dramatically different Christmas to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Charles is set to host his first ever Christmas as King this year following the death of the Queen in September.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will join Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the Royal Family in Sandringham – but two notable relatives will likely be missing.
King Charles extended an olive branch to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last month – but royal experts suspect it will be snubbed.
Instead, Harry and Meghan are likely to remain in California with their kids Archie, three, and Lilibet, one.
