What Christmas at Sandringham is really like, from a royal aide

There’s always been a fascination about what Christmas is really like for the royal family at Sandringham.

And now Alexandra Messervy, a former aide to the royal household, has lifted the lid on how they celebrate, what they have to eat and what they buy each other.

Speaking to Yahoo UK’s The Royal Box, she explained that the Queen and the rest of the royals arrive at her Norfolk estate in time for tea on Christmas Eve.

“Presents are given traditionally on Christmas Eve,” Messervy, who worked in the Master of the Household’s department and helped plan many high-profile royal events, revealed.

“There’s always this sort of idea to give something useful or fun, they certainly would never have extravagant gifts.

“They enjoy a bit of a giggle, they have a tremendous sense of humour.

“Great fans of charades, they’ve always played charades.”

In previous years, Prince Harry reportedly gifted the Queen an ‘ain’t life a bitch’ bath hat, while Kate Middleton gave Harry a ‘grow-your-own girlfriend’ kit (of course, this was in the pre-Meghan Markle era).

Most of us sit down to roast turkey at the dinner table on Christmas day – but do the royals dine on something fancy?

Messervy revealed they have a traditional Christmas lunch, with a turkey from the royal estate and brussel sprouts.

Harry and William also take part in a Christmas Eve game of football with household staff and then on Christmas morning, all of the royal family attend church.

Messervy also revealed that the Queen does watch her own speech, which is pre-recorded earlier in the year.

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