The Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, has been the go-to holiday getaway for the royal family since 1862 ever since Queen Victoria purchased the home for her son, Edward VII.
The country home is a longtime Christmas staple for the Windsor clan to gather and celebrate the New Year annually.
The jolly holly festivities are full of merry traditions that King Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the Firm enjoy as they come together.
Despite Sandringham being a place of joyful memories, it is also laced with a few tragic ones as well.
King George V died there in January 1936 while the late Queen Elizabeth’s father, George VI, passed away in February 1952 at the home.
However, the holiday home will forever be a place for the royals to spend time privately as a family.
Last year was the first time they spent Christmas without Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September.
This year, it’s unlikely that exiled royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will join, as they moved to Montecito, Calif. in 2020 after stepping down from their senior royal titles.
And who can forget the famous walkabout that the former Fab Four — Markle, 42, Harry, 39, Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 41 — undertook in 2018 after the Sandringham Christmas church service.
Among the customs that the family upholds every year includes games of charades and soccer, and elegant dinners.
Keep reading to learn all about the royal family’s holiday traditions.
Before the holiday week begins, the royals first host a Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace before embarking on the trial ride down to Norfolk.
The event is for extended family members and was hosted by Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, at Windsor Castle last year.
Even though Sandringham is the place to be for the Nativity season, Buckingham Palace is still decorated with holiday cheer.
Three fir trees are brought to the Marble Hall at the palace every year and decorated — a tradition that was introduced by Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert.
Before departing for Sandringham, the monarch sends out more than 750 holiday cards to politicians and other VIPs around the world.
The Queen would begin penning them during her summer stay at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, signing off with the moniker, “Elizabeth R.”
She would write “Elizabeth” on cards she sends to her friends while her beloved childhood nickname “Lilibet” is used for pamphlets sent to her cousins.
Members of the family also like to send out their own personalized holiday memos, with William and Middleton’s 2023 card making headlines. Their black-and-white shot featured their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, smiling together.
However, some eagle-eyed fans spotted a Photoshop mistake in the pic, where it looked like Louis’ middle finger was missing.
Once the tribe has descended onto Sandringham, a medley of fun fêtes go down as Christmas rolls around.
On Yuletide Eve, the family congregates around the tree and gives out presents following afternoon tea.
The Duke of Sussex even scribed in his 2023 memoir “Spare“: “The whole family gathered to open gifts on Christmas Eve, as always, a German tradition that survived the anglicizing of the family surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.”
The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was the ancestral name of the dynasty now known as the Windsors.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was established in 1826 and the title was changed in 1917 by George V due to anti-German sentiment at the time during World War I.
Harry and the Duke of Cambridge would also engage in a friendly game of soccer alongside house staff employees.
Following the game, the evening turns into a black-tie soirée with the royal family donning fancy attire for dinner.
“We were at Sandringham in a big room with a long table covered with white cloth and white name card,” Harry wrote in his book.
“By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place, stood before our mound of presents. Then suddenly, everyone began opening at the same time. A free-for-all, with scores of family members talking at once and pulling at bows and tearing at wrapping paper,” he added.
The next day, the group attends church service at St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate.
Then once they arrive home, a gigantic Christmas Day lunch spread is laid out at around 12:45 p.m.
Among the delicacies served include turkey, parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, Christmas pudding and brandy.
After bellies are full of food and drink, it’s time for a game of charades.
“Parlor games, charades, that all comes from Queen Victoria, and they absolutely carry on those traditions and games,” royal biographer Duncan Larcombe explained via Newsweek.
In the late afternoon, the sovereign will conduct a Christmas broadcast to the Commonwealth. Since 1952, the Queen has made her annual speech and last year, marked the first time Charles took center stage.