As the date to Christmas approaches, the royal family is embracing the festive spirit with their pre-Christmas and holiday season celebrations. Despite a challenging year for the British Royals, marked by the cancer diagnoses of key family members King Charles and Princess Anne, the holiday season seems set to end on a joyful note.
While we might imagine the royals indulging in extravagant shopping sprees, they enjoy festive traditions and habits that resonate with everyday people. Contrary to popular belief, they don’t exclusively shop at posh stores. While money is no object for Prince William and Princess Catherine, they are known for being practical and not overly indulgent, ensuring their children are not showered with excessively expensive gifts. The Princess of Wales has been spotted scoring last-minute deals at The Range in King’s Lynn alongside Prince William. She’s also been seen shopping at Bakers and Larners, a cherished department store known for its delicious hampers and rustic goods.
The Wales children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, are encouraged to embrace the magic of Christmas. For example, Prince George once sent a letter to Santa Claus, which Prince William personally delivered to a festive market in Helsinki, Finland. George’s humble wish? A police car. These traditions echo the influence of Princess Catherine’s parents and the lessons of Princess Diana, who was known to ensure her sons, William and Harry, were not overindulged. Ken Wharfe, a former royal security chief, noted that this careful balance continues to this day.
Even Queen Elizabeth II had her unique approach to Christmas shopping. According to her former footman, Paul Burrell, a mini shop was set up in Windsor Castle’s drawing room, where John Lewis delivered a selection of items. This allowed the late Queen to pick out gifts at her leisure, often late at night after dinner. Her focus was always on keeping the festive sparkle alive—a tradition King Charles seems intent on continuing. During a recent trip to a West London shopping center, the King delighted in meeting Santa Claus, who later revealed he assured the monarch he’s on Santa’s “very good boy” list.
Queen Camilla also demonstrates her flair for thoughtful gift-giving. On an official trip to Nairobi last year, she purchased a variety of unique items, including blankets, jewelry, and a jar of cashew butter, which she reportedly boasts as superior to peanut butter. While the royals could easily delegate gift shopping to their staff, they’re often seen mingling with the public, surprising many by how discreetly they shop.
Princess Beatrice is a regular attendee of the Glastonbury Festival, and in the past, stores would close for Princess Diana’s visits. However, modern royals prefer a more low-key approach. Bodyguards are always present for security, but the public rarely recognizes them, as few expect to see a king or future queen browsing local shops.
Majesty Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Ingrid Seward, shared insights into the royal family’s Christmas traditions. She revealed that they pull crackers and wear paper hats—although Queen Elizabeth II refrained from this tradition, and it’s presumed King Charles might do the same. On Christmas Day, the family gathers at Sandringham, where Queen Camilla organizes seating arrangements using an ornate leather board with movable name plates. Despite this formality, King Charles chooses his seat at the head of the table.
After a festive lunch, the younger royals join the adults before everyone disperses for their own personal plans. This balance of tradition and modernity ensures that the royal family celebrates Christmas in a way that honors their legacy while embracing the joys of the season.
