All families have their own traditions during the Christmas season – and royal families around the world are no different.
The British royal family is known for spending the holidays at Sandringham, where they visit the church and meet well-wishers on a walk.
Meanwhile, in Monaco, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are handing out gifts to children in the run-up to Christmas, along with Red Cross volunteers.
And in Denmark, the monarchy celebrates through Danish folklore – by hiding elves around their palace in Copenhagen.
Read on below as MailOnline reveals some of the Christmas traditions of royals around the world.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip place decorations on a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle
Sandringham
The British royal family usually spends Christmas at Sandringham, rather than at other residences such as Windsor, Balmoral or Buckingham Palace.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady previously told the Daily Mirror that the Norfolk residence is more of a ‘home from home’ compared to the other neighborhoods.
He explained: ‘Unlike Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, which are owned by the state, Sandringham is owned by the Royal Family, so it’s a real home from home and a place to really relax.’
The late Queen Elizabeth II usually stayed from December to February, until after the anniversary of her father’s death on February 6.
In 2023, King Charles stayed over the holidays before moving to Balmoral in January this year.
The late queen and her family attended a church service on Christmas Day in 2017
The king’s favorite food
The Christmas dinner for the British royal family usually consists of the classic roast turkey with all the trimmings, as well as other delicacies such as ox tongue and stuffed boar’s head.
And on Boxing Day, pulled and grilled turkey in a velouté sauce is traditionally served – which, according to food writer and son of Queen Camilla, Tom Parker Bowles, is one of Charles’ favorite dishes.
The corgi’s Christmas menu
McGrady previously wrote in The Mail on Sunday how when he worked for the royal family, even the late Queen’s corgis had a Christmas dinner.
They were well-fed pets and enjoyed eating rabbit, beef or chicken served with cabbage and rice.
There were 12 dogs when McGrady was at work, but now the remaining two live with Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York.
Prince Charles sits at a dining table after attending a Christmas service in 1982
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pictured smiling with a turkey
Festive football matches
Being known for his passion for sports, it’s perhaps no surprise that the royals have incorporated this into Christmas as well.
An annual football match was once often played with Prince William and Prince Harry on opposing teams.
This is said to involve friends and families from the Sandringham Estate in nearby Castle Rising.
The brothers played against each other in a 90-minute match in 2005 and the match ended with a handshake after Harry’s side won.
An onlooker said at the time: ‘Both princes got into the spirit of the game and worked up quite a sweat.
‘They certainly held their own and didn’t shy away from tackles. There was a lot of running around and they seemed to be having a good time. Harry looked quite fit and was quick on the wing.
‘William played a good match, but missed an easy goal. It was a well-organized match on a marked field with good goals and nets.’
In 2008, Harry’s team won again and the brothers even performed ‘the strange crunching tackle on each other’, the Mail said at the time.
Prince Harry and William play a festive football match on Christmas Eve in 2008
German Christmas tradition for the British royal family
In a nod to their German heritage, the British royal family traditionally opens their gifts together on Christmas Eve.
They are often small and light-hearted gifts, rather than flamboyant. The presents are labeled and placed on the table.
Recalling one Christmas Eve in his book Spare, Harry described how: ‘According to custom, early in the evening, each of us took our place and stood before our pile of presents.’
He described how his great-aunt Margaret gave him a ballpoint pen with a plastic fish wrapped around it, but considered the gesture “cold-blooded.”
Festive outfits and grass for the reindeer in Monaco
Princess Charlene of Monaco previously revealed some of the sweet Christmas traditions her family uses.
She told the French magazine Point de Vue Peoplethat her twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, leave treats for Santa Claus.
She said, “They always leave a glass of milk and cookies for him, and water and grass for his reindeer.”
Prince Albert also enjoys joining in the celebration and “always wants to wear something festive for the occasion,” the princess reportedly said.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco, wearing festive hat and tie, in 2017
Christmas gift giving in Monaco
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene organize an annual gift event at Prince’s Palace.
Every year, lucky children are invited to the royal residence to receive Christmas gifts.
Their two children had previously attended the event.
The tradition started decades ago by Prince Albert’s mother, Princess Grace Tatler.
Princess Grace of Monaco handed out presents to children in 1973
Charlene talks to families who visited the palace for last year’s gift giving event
Danish Christmas elves
In 2021, the Danish royal family told how Queen Margrethe made little elves that could hide in the palace.
In a similar manner to the popular Elf on the Shelf tradition, the small red figures were placed in hiding places such as chandeliers and in curtains.
The concept seems to be related to Nisser: a mischievous creature from Danish folklore who protects the household and only eats on Christmas Eve.
They launched a digital Advent calendar in 2021 showing where the elves were hidden each day.
Queen Margrethe hand-makes Christmas elves to hide around the palace in 2021
The elves hide in various places in the palace, including a chandelier and curtains
King Frederik and Queen Mary with their four children – Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine – in 2021
Sinterklaas and the Dutch royal family
It is traditional for Dutch families to welcome Sinterklaas, a legendary figure based on Sinterklaas.
It is known that the Dutch royal family is also involved in the festivities.
In 2012, Queen Maxima was pictured with her three daughters, Princesses Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane, as they greeted Sinterklaas in Scheveningen.
Tradition means that gifts in the Netherlands are usually given on December 5, Sinterklaas Eve.
Sinterklaas – a legendary figure based on Sinterklaas – pictured in 2019
Spanish royals on Christmas Eve
The Spanish royal family, like the British royal family, also exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the Daily said Emphatic.
The tradition of exchanging gifts on December 24 comes from Germany, where people celebrate the Bescherung and hand out gifts.