How the royal family spends its Christmas

By Becky Pemberton, The Sun

December 6, 2017 | 3:41pm

How the royal family spends its Christmas

An employee sets the State Dining Room table at Windsor Castle.Getty Images

Every family has their Christmas dining traditions when December 25 rolls in and the royal family is no different.

But what do they dig into on the big day? And do they indulge in cheesy Christmas movies and open stockings in pjs?

Darren McGrady, the former chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana Princess of Wales and Princes William and Harry, revealed exactly how the elite family spends Christmas.

He said to Cosmopolitan that the family head to Sandringham House in Norfolk for the celebrations, with the Queen heading up early on December 19 or 20 and the family joining on Christmas Eve.

Presents are placed ready for family members on trestle tables at the lavish abode.

McGrady revealed: “The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition. Christmas morning, the family eats a hearty breakfast before heading off to church.”

Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Sir Hugh Roberts, the Director of the Royal Collection.Tim Graham/Getty Images

“After church, that’s when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster and a roasted turkey and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.”

As in many households around the UK, the menu for Christmas day doesn’t change and is the same year after year.

After everyone has finished eating their food, the royal family gathers to watch the Queen’s Christmas speech.

Following this, they have time to relax before meeting together later on for afternoon tea and Christmas fruitcake.

In the evening they will enjoy a lavish buffet lunch, with 16-20 different items spread out for them to choose from and chefs on hand to carve the meat.

The Christmas tree in the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in England.Getty Images

Unlike in the US, appetizers and canapés are avoided and only reserved for New Year’s Eve, but the “chocolate-loving” Queen will indulge in a dark chocolate treat over Christmas.

Another tradition that is upheld by the Queen is that of the senior chef enjoying a toast with the family after serving dinner.

McGrady said: “That’s the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the royal family. It’s one of the chef’s favorite traditions.”

Although Buckingham Palace is usually lavishly decorated, Sandringham, a private residence, has more basic decorations.

These include a Christmas tree and a large, 30-year-old silver artificial tree in the dining room.