Royal Tradition Upholding Separation of William and Kate During Christmas Celebrations

Christmas traditions vary greatly around the world, with each culture having its own unique way of celebrating the holiday. In Latin America, for example, residents typically celebrate on the night of December 24th, known as “Nochebuena.” In Japan, some families have made it a tradition to have their holiday dinner at KFC. However, in the royal family, there is a Christmas tradition that keeps couples apart for the first part of their day.

According to reports from the UK, Prince William and Kate have the tradition of eating their breakfast separately on Christmas morning. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who served as the personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II and other royal family members for fifteen years, revealed that women usually have their breakfast in their room, while men gather in the dining room for a meal two hours before attending mass at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, England.

This tradition applies to all royal couples, as men and women only come together for lunch after returning from the 11 a.m. service on the 25th. McGrady previously mentioned in an interview with the Daily Mail in 2017 that women tend to have a lighter breakfast consisting of fruit and toast, while men enjoy a heartier meal with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, kippers, and more.

The reasons behind this Christmas tradition that separates couples are not clear, and it is uncertain if William and Kate follow this rule every year.

Other royal traditions can be traced back to the family’s German heritage. Prince Harry confirmed in his book, “Spare,” that his family exchanges gifts on Christmas Eve. The royal family’s official website states that members usually lay out their gifts on trestle tables and exchange them around teatime.

The tradition of Christmas trees in royal households can also be attributed to Queen Victoria, who popularized them in the 19th century. Previously, the royal family would donate trees to churches, schools, and various locations in the Sandringham area, as well as to St. Paul’s Cathedral and St. Giles’ Cathedral.

Sending out Christmas cards is another common tradition among royal family members, who typically send them to family, friends, and other members of the royal family. Some government officials may also receive these cards. Although recent tallies have not been updated, during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, the royal family would send out approximately 750 Christmas cards annually.

The 2023 Christmas card from King Charles carried a message that read, “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”