For a sad reason: The Royals Christmas party is completely different for the first time
Created: 12/15/2021, 3:27 PM
The Queen at her Christmas address 2019. © Steve Parsons / picture alliance
The British royals usually have some traditions around Christmas.
With the absence of Prince Philips, that could change now.
London - For the British royals, Christmas follows a traditional sequence.
So the Queen usually invites you to Sandringham for Christmas dinner.
Last year the plans suffered due to the corona pandemic, Queen Elizabeth celebrated with her husband Prince Philip, who died earlier this year.
Royals: Christmas with Queen back in Norfolk
This year she had to contend with health problems herself.
But she is sticking to her plans and will also give her annual Christmas address.
The 95-year-old monarch said that she was "feeling much better" and that she was "looking forward" to the traditional Christmas festival on her property in Norfolk.
However, should the corona measures in Great Britain be tightened again, the Queen might have to celebrate alone this year.
Prince Philip played important roles in Christmas customs
But even then, if Christmas were to follow the typical routine this year, it would be very different for a heartbreaking reason, as Prince Philip played a big part in it. The close family came to Sandringham for lunch and tea. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said last year in the
Express
: "The children decorate part of the Christmas tree under the supervision of Prince Philip". The Royal Expert Claudia Joseph added: "Prince Philip always puts the gold star on the tree and will probably do so for the rest of his life."
According to the
Mirror
, the Duke of Edinburgh was not only responsible for this
, he also oversaw the exchange of gifts and let everyone know when they were allowed to open them.
This was done in honor of the family's German roots on the evening of December 24th and not, as is customary in Great Britain, on the morning of December 25th.
Funny gifts tradition was overseen by Prince Philip
So far, the royals have not placed the presents under a Christmas tree, but on various large tables, so that everyone got their own pile of presents at the end.
The British royals are supposed to love to mess with each other.
Meghan Markle is said to have given the Queen a singing toy hamster on her first royal Christmas.
Prince Harry, on the other hand, is said to have once given his brother William a comb with which he made fun of his thinning hair.
It is unclear which of the customs that the late Prince Philip always oversaw will take place this year.
What is certain, however, is that the festival will be completely different this year.
By his absence, but also by the absence of Harry and Meghan.
(jh)