The royal family has long been known for its Christmas traditions, including the exchange of humorous gifts. This quirky custom was once led by Prince Harry, who was famous for his sense of humor. Gift-giving among the royalas can be challenging when your loved ones are already surrounded by priceless jewels, designer outfits, and luxury cars. Rather than opting for extravagant presents, the family often leans toward more lighthearted gifts during the holiday season.
Royal commentator Duncan Lom explained in an interview with Okay Magazine that exchanging joke gifts at Christmas is a long-running tradition in the royal family, ensuring plenty of laughter at Sandringham. In the past, Prince Harry was the biggest joker of the bunch, but with his departure, it seems King Charles has taken over as the family’s fun-loving prankster.
Previously, some of the royals’ playful gift choices included a leather toilet seat, which Princess Anne gave to her older brother, King Charles. Kate Middleton once gifted Prince Harry a "grow your own girlfriend" kit, while Harry himself gave the late Queen Elizabeth a shower cap with the phrase "Ain't Life a B****" written on it. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not spent Christmas with the royal family since 2018.
Duncan Lom reflected on the royal family’s lighter side, stating, “Sometimes we imagine the royals to be all very serious, but they enjoy a good laugh just like most families. Charles once said that having a sense of humor is what keeps him sane, and sharing joke presents lightens the mood during what can otherwise be a very formal time.”
In recent years, King Charles has become the one to play pranks, especially with his grandchildren at Christmas. Princess Anne, meanwhile, has taken on the role of the mischievous aunt, always leaving everyone wondering what she might say or do next. The royal family’s Christmas gift-giving tradition is known for its quirky, sometimes unexpected choices, with presents reflecting personal touches and a strong sense of humor.
One famous example was Diana, Princess of Wales, gifting Sarah, Duchess of York, a bold leopard print bath mat. Meghan Markle’s first Christmas gift to Prince Harry in 2017 was a playful spoon engraved with the words “serial killer.” Yet not all royal gifts are eccentric. For example, in 2016, Kate Middleton gave the late Queen a jar of her homemade chutney made from her grandmother's recipe, adding a heartfelt personal touch to the festive exchange. Kate shared that she was “slightly worried” about giving such a gift, but the next day, she noticed it on the table, confirming it was a hit.
Unlike most families who exchange gifts on Christmas Day, the royal family has their tradition of doing so on Christmas Eve, a nod to their German heritage. Former royal butler Grant Herald revealed this tradition dates back to Queen Victoria. The royals gather for afternoon tea in the white drawing room at Sandringham before exchanging their fun gifts. However, more significant presents, particularly those for children, are opened on Christmas morning. Grant said, "The royals are keeping their own traditions alive while adding a modern twist. It's a nice way to do it.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were once the picture of joy when they announced their engagement seven years ago. Posing happily for photographers at Kensington Palace, they sat down for an interview with the BBC to share their exciting news. But before Harry could pop the question, he had to clear one major obstacle: royal protocol.
According to tradition, the first six people in line to the throne must seek permission from the monarch before getting engaged. This meant that before asking Meghan to marry him, Harry had to ask his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, for her blessing. In his memoir Spare, Harry recounts the moment he nervously approached the Queen on a shooting trip at Sandringham, hoping her good mood would make the conversation easier.
Harry described the moment, explaining that after the shoot, he managed to get his grandmother alone. His mind was racing, and he confessed how much he loved Meghan and that he wanted to marry her. “I’ve been told I have to ask your permission before I can propose,” Harry said awkwardly. The Queen simply replied, “You have to,” to which Harry responded that was what he’d been told. There was a moment of silence before the Queen said, “Well then I suppose I have to say yes.”
Harry was momentarily confused, unsure if the Queen was being sarcastic, ironic, or indulging in some wordplay. In the end, Harry realized that the Queen was giving her consent, and he described himself as “a muppet” for not immediately understanding her response. He thanked her, saying, “It was fabulous.”
Once Harry had his grandmother's blessing, he turned his attention to designing the ring. He chose two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection and one from Botswana, creating a gold ring he would present to Meghan.
In Endgame, a book by author Omid Scobie, it was revealed that Prince Harry once had to beg the royal family to hold off on announcing some important news. On September 8, 2022, just before Harry was able to land in Aberdeen and make his way toward Balmoral, Queen Elizabeth II’s passing was officially announced to the world at 6:30 p.m.
For Harry, the news was heartbreaking, and he was forced to request that the royal family delay the announcement until he had arrived. This unexpected turn of events adds another layer to the complexities of the royal family’s public life.
