Royal Family’s strange Christmas traditions – special corgi menus to early gifts

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Every family across the UK celebrates Christmas in their own unique way, and the country's most famous family is no different.

The Royals have a vast catalogue of different festive time traditions that stray away from the usual cracker-pulling fun that most of the population indulges in.

Although The Firm still like to celebrate in some of the same ways as us usual citizens – we don't think you'll be seeing the Queen and Prince William in matching festive PJ's anytime soon.

Here are some of the most surprising royal family Christmas traditions.

Queen Elizabeth would once do her Christmas shopping personally for her loved ones.

It was reported that famous luxury department store Harrods would stay open late for the Queen so she could shop at her solo leisure.

But now at 95, it is expected that she has a hand buying her festive gifts.

It is widely known how much the Queen loves her corgis, so it might not be a surprise that they are treated like royalty at Christmas time.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady claims the Monarch's dogs are always given a special Christmas meal made of the finest and freshest produce.

Darren wrote: "Even the corgis – there were 12 when I was chef – have individual menus, usually involving a rotation of fresh rabbit, beef or chicken with rice and cabbage.

"We’d jokingly refer to the footmen responsible for the dogs, both named Paul, as ‘Doggy One and Doggy Two’."

It was a festive tradition for Prince William and Prince Harry to have a friendly match of football alongside members of staff on the Sandringham Estate.

According to Popsugar, Team William once wore Aston Villa socks while Harry's team sported Arsenal kits.

It is unclear whether the game will continue without Prince Harry if he remains in California for the festive period.

Husbands and wives in the royal family spend Christmas morning apart from each other due to a long-standing tradition in The Firm.

Darren McGrady revealed the women opt for having the first festive meal of the day delivered to their bedrooms while the men eat breakfast downstairs.

McGrady said: "On Christmas Day, the ladies generally opt for a light breakfast of sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast, and coffee delivered to their room."

He added that the men usually eat a larger breakfast of "eggs, bacon and mushrooms, kippers, and grilled kidneys."

While many of us wait patiently to grab our presents from under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, the royal family actually trades gifts the evening before.

According to royal expert Robert Jobson, Queen Victoria's husband Albert started the tradition after their wedding in 1841.

In a nod to their German heritage, the tradition has stuck ever since.

Robert Jobson told the Express: "Royals have done it every year since. 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.

"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."

  • Prince William
  • Queen
  • Christmas
  • Royal Family

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