Inside Kate’s Christmas. Sandringham secrets
What will the festive season bring for Duchess Kate and her everincreasing brood?
They say Christmas is all about the children – and as a mum of three, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, will have even more to celebrate, as well as having her hands full with her adorable brood.
Prince Louis, who was born in April, will be relatively oblivious to his first Christmas, but for his older siblings, George, five, and Charlotte, three, the levels of excitement will be high. No doubt they will be looking out for Santa’s sleigh in the Norfolk skies above the Sandringham Estate.
The Queen and Prince Philip will welcome the extended family to celebrate the festive season, as they have done for so many years.
According to veteran royal reporter Phil Dampier, Christmas will be ‘extra special’ for Kate this year.
‘She will doubtless love showing Louis off to the family at Sandringham. The Queen dotes on all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so will love seeing them together. There are normally more than 30 royals with Her Majesty for the festive season,’ he says.
Kate has been spending at least part of Christmas at Sandringham ever since she married William seven years ago. Before that, the couple spent alternate Christmases with Kate’s family in Bucklebury, Berkshire, and William was said to enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere at the Middletons, where they spent Christmas 2016.
‘Kate might want to spend Christmas Day with her own family,’ says Phil. ‘Mum Carole and dad Michael would love to have the baby with them. But like any family, there are always decisions to be made.’
And with Prince Charles, turning 70 this Wednesday, and the Duke of Edinburgh having been unwell, Phil says, ‘I would expect it’s more likely that William and Kate will go to Sandringham, and see the Middletons either the day after Boxing Day or at New Year.’
He adds, ‘Kate may want to be on hand to provide a warm welcome to her pregnant sister-in-law, Meghan, the new Duchess of Sussex.
‘Last year, Harry and Meghan stayed with Kate and William and, even though they weren’t married, Meghan was welcomed into the family by the Queen. Kate will love having Meghan around to play with the kids, plus, of course, she’ll be giving out advice to her about being a mum!’
Should Meghan need it, Kate can also offer up tips on how things are done at Sandringham, which is fairly strict, following longestablished traditions.
The Royal Family keep to the German custom of opening gifts on Christmas Eve. They gather in the White Drawing Room to put the finishing touches to a huge tree, usually measuring at least 20ft. They then open their presents ( jokey and inexpensive rather than lavish), which are laid out on a white linen-covered trestle table. The children join in, before they are packed off to bed and a lavish dinner is served by the dedicated team of butlers and footmen.
On Christmas Day, the family enjoy a cooked breakfast before heading off to church at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, where crowds of well-wishers gather.
Phil says, ‘Kate spends much more time talking to members of the public and is now happy to hug them and accept a kiss or two, and doubtless she will do that with the people outside the church, who will have waited hours to see them.’
Then it’s back for a few tipples before lunch is served at 1pm sharp, at a lavishly set table complete with red and gold crackers, decanters and silver candelabra.
Lunch finishes with a flaming pudding soaked in brandy, followed by a cheese course with plenty of port. The family assembles again at 3pm to watch the Queen’s Christmas message, before the day is rounded off with a dinner – usually estate game, served with potatoes and carrots.
Phil adds, ‘Kate will enjoy talking to all the other royals she has seen little of during the year, because she has been busy with the baby. And this year, with the royal baby boom, she, Zara Tindall and Meghan will doubtless be comparing baby notes.’
We wouldn’t be surprised if all this joyful family time and baby chatter gives Kate notions about having another little one herself…