The nation often turns its attention to the Royal Family during the festive season, particularly for the monarch’s moving Christmas message.
The Windsors uphold their custom of attending church together on Christmas Day, warmly engaging with well-wishers as they make their way to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, and this year is set to maintain that beloved tradition.
In recent times, the Princess of Wales has introduced her own festive flair by organising an annual Christmas carol concert, which, after a year of health challenges and reduced public appearances, stands as one of her few official commitments.
Yet, it appears Kate Middleton is eager to modernise the Windsor’s Christmas traditions, OK! reports.
There are whispers that she intends to abandon a longstanding royal protocol she considers “weird” – the practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve, a custom that harks back to Queen Victoria’s era and reflects the family’s German heritage.
It was also during Queen Victoria’s reign that another Germanic festive tradition became fashionable under royal endorsement: the Christmas tree. Prince Albert, Victoria’s consort, is recognised for bringing the Christmas tree tradition into vogue in Britain, a trend that was initially sparked by yet another German royal, Queen Charlotte, as early as 1800.
The late Queen Elizabeth cherished the tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve, a practice that harks back to her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria and reflects her own devout Christian beliefs, reserving Christmas Day for religious contemplation.
However, whispers from Daily Beast suggest that Kate isn’t too fond of this custom.
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A source close to the family said: “Kate has always found the presents on Christmas Eve thing weird. It is definitely going to be got rid of when they are officially running things.
“I imagine it will continue this year at Sandringham in some shape or form but everything is going to be much more relaxed and have a middle-class flavour at Anmer Hall. You can bet your bottom dollar they will be doing proper presents for each other and the kids there on Christmas Day.”
In the lead-up to her festive carol service, Kate has invited the young survivors of the Southport stabbing to attend the event at Westminster Abbey on 6 December, as confirmed by Kensington Palace. This offer comes after a heartfelt visit she made with Prince William to meet with the affected families in Southport last month.
During their poignant visit, the royal couple had private meetings with the relatives of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were tragically killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July in Southport, and also spent time with the children’s dance instructor.
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