Prince William is planning a significant change by eliminating a long-held and outdated Christmas tradition within the Royal Family. Every year, the Royals gather at Sandringham for their Christmas festivities, but one particular ceremony is now up for modification. Prince William is rumored to be discontinuing a tradition where seniority within the family determines the distribution of “joke” £5 gifts. The process typically involves the King or previously the late Queen distributing these inexpensive gifts from a table based on the family’s hierarchy.
Sources suggest that Prince William intends to shake things up or do away with this outdated event when he ascends to the throne. In recent years, Prince William has celebrated Christmas differently with Kate and their children, opting for more informal gatherings at Anmer Hall in Norfolk with the Middletons and their kids.
This departure from the traditional royal Sandringham festive celebration aligns with Prince William’s preference for a more relaxed and informal Christmas atmosphere, contrasting with the formal and ceremonial nature of the traditional Sandringham celebrations. The £5 gift tradition, where senior royals receive their presents first while junior members wait, is expected to undergo changes, moving away from its hierarchical aspects.
A source indicated that while Prince William is considering larger changes, the elimination of this antiquated tradition is likely to be among the first adjustments made when he hosts his initial Sandringham Christmas. Additionally, other formal traditions at the Sandringham Christmas, such as the black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve where seating is based on hierarchy, are maintained.
The source explained that King Charles has upheld many of these old Christmas traditions with his family, a practice that Prince William is less inclined to follow. Prince William is known to have expressed a preference for not continuing these traditions, although he respects his father’s adherence to them for nostalgic reasons and as a way to honor the Queen.
One notable change in this year’s Christmas family gathering is the absence of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, following King Charles’ decision to strip his brother of royal titles and privileges. Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are facing eviction from Royal Lodge, with Andrew relocating to a property on the private Sandringham Estate, while Fergie has been advised to make alternative arrangements.
However, this change is set to take effect after Christmas, allowing the disgraced couple to have one final Christmas at Royal Lodge before their relocation, keeping them away from Sandringham during the festive period.