Royal traditions have always been important to British citizens, but this year, there are expected to be some significant changes. A source close to the royal family said William and Catherine are planning to host their own Christmas party at Amner Hall. The gathering will be attended by Catherine's parents, Michael and Carol Middleton, signaling a move towards a more relaxed, informal celebration. With the King struggling with health issues, royal festivities are expected to be more low-key than usual. The unexpected approach is in contrast to the tightly-organized celebrations of previous years.
Traditionally, Christmas in the royal family takes place at Sandringham, where the extended family gathers to exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, a tradition influenced by their German ancestors. They then attend church together on Christmas morning. This year, William and Catherine’s celebrations are expected to have a middle-class feel, focusing on fun activities like eating chocolate, watching holiday movies and enjoying the cosy comfort of home. The Prince and Princess of Wales want to show a more personal side to their Christmas, offering a glimpse into their family traditions.
They may use social media to highlight their Christmas Day, sharing heartwarming videos and family photos to emphasise how close they are as a family. With the King's speech airing at 3pm today, if William and Catherine were to post images of their celebrations, it would signal a deliberate move against traditional coverage. One former courtier suggested that showing the family enjoying simple pleasures, such as eating chocolate and watching TV, would effectively convey how normal their Christmas was compared to the Sandringham celebrations.
Another potential change could involve changing the long-standing custom of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve. The tradition, which originated with Queen Victoria's German heritage, has become a staple of royal Christmas celebrations. Queen Elizabeth II likes the practice because it allows for a quieter Christmas Day focused on family and her annual speech. However, as William and Catherine prepared for their future roles as king and queen, they realized that the tradition seemed out of touch with public sentiment.
Friends have noted that Catherine found the Christmas Eve gift exchange odd and expected it to change when they took over. When she participated in a documentary about Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday in 2016, Catherine shared her concerns about her first royal Christmas, particularly about what to give the Queen. However, her homemade gift was well received, showing the Queen's thoughtfulness and putting Catherine at ease.
