A Traditional Royal Christmas

royal chritmas card

A Very Merry Christmas Card from the Royal Family

All families have their own Christmas traditions. Whether it’s baking gingerbread cookies, taking part in carol singing or simply getting together to watch your favourite holiday movies.

But have you ever wondered how the Royal family celebrate the lead up to Christmas?

Read on to hear some of the better known Royal family Christmas traditions. You can learn more about the secretive ones on London Magical Tours’ award winning London Christmas Lights Tours.

 

Present exchange

When do the Royal Family exchange gifts? Clue: It’s not Christmas Day!

One of the most famous Royal family traditions was introduced by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. In line with German tradition, the Royal family actually exchange their gifts on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. The gifts are then laid out on tables for each family member to open after tea time (that’s after dinner for our non-UK cousins).

 

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Christmas Day service – At Sandringham

The monarch traditionally spends Christmas at the residence known as Sandringham, a countryside estate in Norfolk. The invited Royal family members visiting that year are then given an allocated time to arrive at Sandringham: the youngest member arrives first and the eldest member last. Once everyone has arrived, the final touches are put on the Christmas tree, a tradition also made popular by Prince Albert.

 

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The Kings Christmas Speech. Credit BBC

Christmas Day begins with the Sandringham Christmas Day service, where the Royal family attend mass and step out of the St Mary Magdalene Church to greet the public.

To conclude Christmas Day, King Charles will continue the tradition of broadcasting a speech to the country and across the Commonwealth. As the speech is pre-recorded, the royal family will watch it together after their Christmas lunch. In previous years this has include prawns or lobster for starters, a turkey with all the trimmings as the main course – and Christmas pudding with brandy for dessert.

 

For more information on London Magical Tours’ luxury London tours,  as well as this year’s Christmas tours, visit the London Magical Tours website: https://www.londonmagicaltours.com

 


Exclusive Visits to Sandringham Estate

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Credits: PA:Press Association

Sandringham House is arguably one of the most famous stately homes in Norfolk, sitting within the 8,000 hectare Sandringham Estate.

New for Summer 2021, guests can enjoy an exclusive “safari” style through the grand estate in a Land Rover Defender as part of a spectacular private tour.

The 2 hour tour commences in the more formal areas of Sandringham House and Gardens, before proceeding through stunning scenery on the wider Estate. Travel through scenic tranquil areas of organic farmland and extensive forests. You will be joined by an expert guide who actually resides in the estate and who will share their knowledge of the area which is rich in wildlife including deer, hare and birds of prey.

After the tour guests are invited for a delicious Afternoon Tea, inspired by the Sandringham Estate.

 

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Credits: Land Rover

Would you like to discover Her Majesty The Queen’s official residences such as Buckingham Palace, Sandringham or Windsor Castle? Discovery the famous landmarks of Great Britain with your very own tour team of professional tour guide and additional chauffeur, with London Magical Tours. 


Windsor Castle Gardens Opening

Windsor Castle has announced that its gardens will open for the first time in over 40 years.

The Queen and Prince Philip have been isolated at their home in Windsor Castle during the course of the coronavirus lockdown. Following 4 months of isolation, the Queen and her husband are moving to their home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland. As the monarch is no longer there, the private gardens of Windsor Castle will now be available for the first time since the 1970s.

Visitors to Windsor Castle can explore the East Terrace Garden first deigned for King George IV in the 1820s.

Walk in the footsteps of Her Majesty on your Private Magical Windsor Tour and discover the magic o Windsor and its gardens today.


When Harry met Megan: Windsor and the Royal Wedding 2018

It’s not every year that the there is one big Royal event, let alone two. That makes 2018 a very special time to be visiting London and the UK:

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) are due their third child any day and HRH Prince Henry of Wales (Harry) and Ms. Megan Markle are getting married!

There is always a sense of new beginnings in the air during Spring time. How wonderful then to know that a new generation is joining the Royal family this month. There is much excitement to see who will be joining HRH Prince George and his sister HRH Princess Charlotte:

 

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‘The Royal Wave’ – HRH Prince George and HRH Princess Charlotte with their parents

 

In an ever changing world it is nice to think of the Royal Family as an example of what it means to be a traditional united family in the 21st century. HRH Prince William is a member of the House of Windsor, and he along with his family will be attending the wedding of his brother HRH Prince Harry and Ms. Megan Markle on the 19th of May 2018.

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St. George’s Chapel, Windsor: the location of the Royal Wedding in May 2018

In anticipation of the event, London Magical Tours are seeing a great increase in interest in our Windsor Castle Tours. Windsor is a beautiful traditional English town on the banks of the River Thames, home to Her Majesty The Queen’s favourite countryside residence, the spectacular 1,000 year old Windsor Castle. It is in the grounds of the Castle that the Royal Wedding will take place, in the historic St. George’s Chapel.

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HRH Prince Harry and Ms. Megan Markle are due to marry in May of 2018

From everyone at London Magical Tours and the Cartland’s Group, we send our best wishes to the Royal family during this special time!