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During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II created countless holiday traditions adhered to by the royal family. Every year, the immediate family \u2014 married couples only, no girlfriends or boyfriends allowed! \u2014 would travel to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, where they would enjoy a black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve and then attend morning mass on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n
On Boxing Day, the day following Christmas, members of the royal family would head outside for horse riding and a pheasant shoot. \u201cChristmas,\u201d a source tells Life & Style<\/em> exclusively, \u201cwas always the queen\u2019s favorite time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n Since her passing in September 2022, King Charles III<\/strong>, Queen Camilla<\/strong> and Prince William<\/strong><\/a> and Princess Kate<\/strong><\/a> have been working hard to usher in a more modern, updated monarchy \u2014 and with that comes new ways of celebrating the holidays.<\/p>\n \u201cCharles and William and Kate are trying to relax the rules a little as the royals enter a less stuffy era,\u201d says the source. Passionate environmentalist Charles, 75, for example, has been insisting gifts be sustainable and eco-friendly, while Kate and William, both 41, have put their three children on dessert duty. And unlike in years past, Camilla\u2019s side of the family are invited \u2014 a surprise that thrilled the younger set.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is to make for a relaxing environment where everyone can unwind and be themselves,\u201d says the source.<\/p>\n The queen had rituals she followed religiously for decades. According to her longtime dresser, Angela Kelly, Her Majesty would change her attire up to seven times a day during holiday festivities \u2014 and female guests were required to wear five different outfits for breakfast, lunch, outdoor activities, tea and dinner.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, Charles still wants guests to dress for the black-tie dinner, but they won\u2019t be asked to change three or four times a day like they used to,\u201d says the source.<\/p>\n The Prince and Princess of Wales won\u2019t do away with all of the queen\u2019s customs. \u201cThe royals will be honoring Her Majesty in a number of ways,\u201d says the source, adding, \u201cIt brings them a great deal of pride, and serves as a coping mechanism as they continue to adapt to life without her.\u201d<\/p>\n As Kate has said, \u201cHer Majesty held Christmas close to her heart as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n As usual, top members of The Firm will be front and center during the holidays, including the annual walk to church at Sandringham\u2019s St Mary Magdalene, where Queen Victoria once worshiped.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll entertain carolers, enjoy healthy hikes and hunts and have plenty of get-togethers,\u201d says the source. \u201cEnsuring that the queen\u2019s legacy is upheld is of paramount importance to everyone inside the House of Windsor.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to gift-giving, the protocol will be a mix of old and new. \u201cThey\u2019ll throw in the fun traditions, like exchanging joke gifts,\u201d says the source, noting that the queen was adamant that presents didn\u2019t break the bank. \u201cThey believe it\u2019s the thought that counts. That\u2019s a rule the queen insisted they follow wherever possible.\u201d<\/p>\n In Prince Harry<\/strong>\u2019s memoir, Spare<\/em>, he writes that he and William and their cousins opened presents on Christmas Eve night. \u201cWe were at Sandringham in a big room with a long table covered with white cloth and white name cards. 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,\u201d he recalled. (He and wife Meghan Markle<\/strong> will not be present.)<\/p>\n There are whispers Kate and William will be implementing new gift-giving rules this year, and that the kids may be allowed to open one present earlier in the day. \u201cThere\u2019s always plenty of fun and entertainment to enjoy during the afternoon and into the evening,\u201d says the source, adding that games are a big part of the festivities. \u201cThe family has always loved playing charades.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles\u2019 invitation to Camila\u2019s two children and five grandchildren \u2014 who range in age from 13 to 16 \u2014 was a welcome surprise, and family members are thrilled. \u201cThings will be even more jolly and exuberant, as Camilla\u2019s grandchildren are known for being the life of the party,\u201d says the source.<\/p>\n Kate has always put kids first during the holidays. \u201cShe works overtime to make Christmas as magical as possible for them,\u201d says the source. (Kate plans on spending time with the Middleton side of the family as well, including her brother James\u2019 brand-new baby boy, Inigo.) Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and 5-year-old Prince Louis are in charge of the sweets this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are making dessert and are planning on making pies galore,\u201d says the source, adding, \u201cThe children are right by Kate\u2019s side building the gingerbread houses and making cookies helping with all the dinners during the holiday season \u2014 they love being involved.\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019s been working closely with Camilla to ensure the holidays go off without a hitch. \u201cKate and Camilla are both fantastic organizers, so they complement each other very well. They\u2019re making lists and sharing the load,\u201d says the source. \u201cIt\u2019s shaping up to be the most well-put together Christmas anyone in the family can remember!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nChanging of the Guards<\/h2>\n
Comfort & Joy<\/h2>\n