Queen Elizabeth II records her Christmas message in the Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2012; Prince Harry and Prince William attend the annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 1998.Photo:John Stillwell — WPA Pool/Getty; UK Press via Getty
John Stillwell — WPA Pool/Getty; UK Press via Getty
Christmas is steeped in tradition, and no one honors it quite like theBritish royal family.
“Bringing the family together at Christmastime is always lovelybecause we’re quite spread out doing our things a lot of time throughout the year. We get very few moments to actually come together,“Prince Williamsaidduring a 2021 interview on Radio Marsden. “When I see my children meet up with my cousin’s children, and they all have a wonderful time playing together, it’s very special. I look forward to that a lot.”
FromPrincess Dianachatting with Santa Claus toKing Charles IIIleading his first walk to Sandringham as monarch, take a look below at the royals celebrating the holiday throughout the years.
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1969: Perfecting the Details
Queen Elizabeth (center) and Prince Philip (left) look at a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1969.Bettmann/Getty
02of 301987: A Laugh with SantaPrincess Diana with Jimmy Tarbuck dressed as Santa Claus at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in 1987.Brendan Beirne/REX/ShutterstockPrincess Diana smiles with Santa Claus during a visit to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
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1987: A Laugh with Santa
Princess Diana with Jimmy Tarbuck dressed as Santa Claus at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in 1987.Brendan Beirne/REX/Shutterstock
Princess Diana smiles with Santa Claus during a visit to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
03of 301987: Prince on the ShelfPrince Harry dressed in an elf costume in London in 1987.Tim Graham/GettyA youngPrince Harrydressed up as a red and green elf to take part in his school’s nativity play.
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1987: Prince on the Shelf
Prince Harry dressed in an elf costume in London in 1987.Tim Graham/Getty
A youngPrince Harrydressed up as a red and green elf to take part in his school’s nativity play.
04of 301988: Herded AlongPrince Harry dressed in a shepherd costume in London on Dec. 8, 1988.Tim Graham/GettyThe following year, Harry was upgraded to an important role: a shepherd! (Prince Georgealso takes part in the tradition. In 2017, Prince Williamrevealed his son played the part of a sheep!)
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1988: Herded Along
Prince Harry dressed in a shepherd costume in London on Dec. 8, 1988.Tim Graham/Getty
The following year, Harry was upgraded to an important role: a shepherd! (Prince Georgealso takes part in the tradition. In 2017, Prince Williamrevealed his son played the part of a sheep!)
05of 301990: Santa’s HelpersPrince Harry and Prince William meeting Santa Claus backstage at the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships in London on Dec. 17, 1990.Martin Keene — PA Images/GettyYou’re never too royal to visit with Santa! During a visit to the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships with their mom, brothers Harry and William climbed into Santa’s sleigh.
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1990: Santa’s Helpers
Prince Harry and Prince William meeting Santa Claus backstage at the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships in London on Dec. 17, 1990.Martin Keene — PA Images/Getty
Martin Keene — PA Images/Getty
You’re never too royal to visit with Santa! During a visit to the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships with their mom, brothers Harry and William climbed into Santa’s sleigh.
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1992: Santa, Princess, Santa
Jeffrey Archer, Princess Diana and Denis Healy arrive at a charity Christmas event at the Hilton Hotel in London in 1992.REX/Shutterstock
07of 301995: An Evening at the PantomimeDuchess of York with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, while attending a Christmas Pantomime of ‘Cinderella’ in aid of Children in Crisis in London on Dec. 18, 1995.Tim Graham/GettyPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugeniesported matching outfits as they attended a Christmas Pantomime ofCinderella, in support of their mother’s charity.
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1995: An Evening at the Pantomime
Duchess of York with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, while attending a Christmas Pantomime of ‘Cinderella’ in aid of Children in Crisis in London on Dec. 18, 1995.Tim Graham/Getty
Princess BeatriceandPrincess Eugeniesported matching outfits as they attended a Christmas Pantomime ofCinderella, in support of their mother’s charity.
08of 301997: Gifts GalorePrincess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew attend the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1997.UK Press via GettyPrincess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were all smiles as they held presents from the crowd as they headed into the Christmas Day service at church in Sandringham with their father, Prince Andrew.
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1997: Gifts Galore
Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew attend the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1997.UK Press via Getty
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were all smiles as they held presents from the crowd as they headed into the Christmas Day service at church in Sandringham with their father, Prince Andrew.
09of 301998: Chocolate for ChildrenA man dressed as Santa, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth prepare to give chocolate bars at Ascot races in 1998.Tony Harris — PA Images via GettyThe Queen and the Queen Mother aided Santa in giving gifts of chocolate bars to children at the Ascot races.
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1998: Chocolate for Children
A man dressed as Santa, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth prepare to give chocolate bars at Ascot races in 1998.Tony Harris — PA Images via Getty
Tony Harris — PA Images via Getty
The Queen and the Queen Mother aided Santa in giving gifts of chocolate bars to children at the Ascot races.
10of 301998: Backstage PassSarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York (center) with her daughters and cast members of a Christmas extravaganza at the Theatre Royal in London on Dec. 6, 1998.Tim Graham/GettySarah Ferguson made a tradition of bringing her daughters to the theater around Christmas — and they even got to pose with the performers!
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1998: Backstage Pass
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York (center) with her daughters and cast members of a Christmas extravaganza at the Theatre Royal in London on Dec. 6, 1998.Tim Graham/Getty
Sarah Ferguson made a tradition of bringing her daughters to the theater around Christmas — and they even got to pose with the performers!
11of 301998: Gift HaulPrince Harry and Prince William attend the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1998.UK Press via GettyPrince Harry and Prince William took part in the tradition of attending the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, accepting small gifts from the gathered well-wishers.
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1998: Gift Haul
Prince Harry and Prince William attend the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1998.UK Press via Getty
Prince Harry and Prince William took part in the tradition of attending the annual Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, accepting small gifts from the gathered well-wishers.
12of 301999: Bantering with Santa ClausFrom left to right: Princess Eugenie, a man dressed as Santa Claus, Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York attend the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to children party at the Café Royal in London in 1999.John Stillwell — PA Images/GettyFergie and her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, chat with Santa at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children party in London.
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1999: Bantering with Santa Claus
From left to right: Princess Eugenie, a man dressed as Santa Claus, Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York attend the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to children party at the Café Royal in London in 1999.John Stillwell — PA Images/Getty
John Stillwell — PA Images/Getty
Fergie and her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, chat with Santa at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children party in London.
13of 302001: A Charles Dickens ChristmasPrince Edward (bottom right) and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (bottom left) pose with the cast of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, Surrey, on Nov. 29, 2001.Tim Graham Picture Library/GettyPrince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attended a Northern Ballet adaptation of Charles Dickens' classicA Christmas Carolat the New Victoria Theatre.
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2001: A Charles Dickens Christmas
Prince Edward (bottom right) and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (bottom left) pose with the cast of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, Surrey, on Nov. 29, 2001.Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex attended a Northern Ballet adaptation of Charles Dickens' classicA Christmas Carolat the New Victoria Theatre.
14of 302010: Waving with SantaA man dressed as Santa and Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall wave before turning on the Christmas lights in Bath, Somerset, in 2010.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via GettyCamilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, waves with Santa as she visits Bath to turn on the Christmas lights.
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2010: Waving with Santa
A man dressed as Santa and Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall wave before turning on the Christmas lights in Bath, Somerset, in 2010.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, waves with Santa as she visits Bath to turn on the Christmas lights.
15of 302012: Holiday Away from HomePrince Harry wears a Santa hat while posing outside the VHR (very high readiness) tent in Afghanistan on Dec. 12, 2012.John Stillwell — WPA Pool/GettyPrince Harry poses in a Santa hat as he stands outside the tent at Camp Bastion on Dec. 12, 2012, in Afghanistan — where he served as an Apache helicopter pilot/gunner.
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2012: Holiday Away from Home
Prince Harry wears a Santa hat while posing outside the VHR (very high readiness) tent in Afghanistan on Dec. 12, 2012.John Stillwell — WPA Pool/Getty
John Stillwell — WPA Pool/Getty
Prince Harry poses in a Santa hat as he stands outside the tent at Camp Bastion on Dec. 12, 2012, in Afghanistan — where he served as an Apache helicopter pilot/gunner.
16of 302012: Wishing Everyone a Merry ChristmasQueen Elizabeth poses in the holiday-decorated White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2012.John Stillwell — WPA Pool/GettyQueen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
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2012: Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas
Queen Elizabeth poses in the holiday-decorated White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2012.John Stillwell — WPA Pool/Getty
Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
17of 302014: Holiday BundlingKate Middleton, then Duchess of Cambridge, wraps Christmas presents at the Northside Center for Child Development in N.Y.C. on Dec. 8, 2014.Mark Stewart — Pool/GettyMaster gift wrapper!Kate Middletonlends her skills during a visit to the Northside Center for Child Development in New York City.
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2014: Holiday Bundling
Kate Middleton, then Duchess of Cambridge, wraps Christmas presents at the Northside Center for Child Development in N.Y.C. on Dec. 8, 2014.Mark Stewart — Pool/Getty
Mark Stewart — Pool/Getty
Master gift wrapper!Kate Middletonlends her skills during a visit to the Northside Center for Child Development in New York City.
18of 302015: A Warm EmbraceKate Middleton hugs a young boy at the Anna Freud Centre Family School on Dec. 15, 2015.Chris Jackson/AFP/GettyKate hugs a young boy after receiving a present as she attends the Anna Freud Centre Family School Christmas Party. She joined groups of families in festive activities designed to help pupils reflect on the positive progress in their social relationships and communication skills.
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2015: A Warm Embrace
Kate Middleton hugs a young boy at the Anna Freud Centre Family School on Dec. 15, 2015.Chris Jackson/AFP/Getty
Kate hugs a young boy after receiving a present as she attends the Anna Freud Centre Family School Christmas Party. She joined groups of families in festive activities designed to help pupils reflect on the positive progress in their social relationships and communication skills.
19of 302016: Laser FocusedPrince William decorates a gingerbread house at the AGM in London on Dec. 19, 2016.ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/GePrince William focuses all his attention on decorating a gingerbread house during a charity Christmas party that he attended with Kate and Harry.
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2016: Laser Focused
Prince William decorates a gingerbread house at the AGM in London on Dec. 19, 2016.ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Ge
Prince William focuses all his attention on decorating a gingerbread house during a charity Christmas party that he attended with Kate and Harry.
20of 302016: Family OutingKate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William arrive to attend the service at St. Mark’s Church in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on Dec. 25, 2016.Andrew Matthews — WPA Pool/GettyKate,Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attend the Christmas service at St. Mark’s Church in Bucklebury.
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2016: Family Outing
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William arrive to attend the service at St. Mark’s Church in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on Dec. 25, 2016.Andrew Matthews — WPA Pool/Getty
Andrew Matthews — WPA Pool/Getty
Kate,Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attend the Christmas service at St. Mark’s Church in Bucklebury.
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2016: Sweet Tooth
Prince George eats a candy cane after attending a Christmas Day service at St. Mark’s Church in Bucklebury, Berkshire, in 2016.ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP/Getty
22of 302016: Post-Church Candy CanePrincess Charlotte holds a candy cane after church service in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on Dec. 25, 2016.Samir Hussein/WireImageCharlotte held onto her treat as she exited the church, hand-in-hand with her mom.
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2016: Post-Church Candy Cane
Princess Charlotte holds a candy cane after church service in Bucklebury, Berkshire, on Dec. 25, 2016.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Charlotte held onto her treat as she exited the church, hand-in-hand with her mom.
23of 302017: Wish List to SantaPrince William hands a man dressed as Santa Claus Prince George’s Christmas wish list on the second day of his tour of Finland.Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via GettyPrince William shared Prince George’s Christmas wish list (he wanted a police car!) with Santa during a visit to a holiday market in Finland.
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2017: Wish List to Santa
Prince William hands a man dressed as Santa Claus Prince George’s Christmas wish list on the second day of his tour of Finland.Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty
Prince William shared Prince George’s Christmas wish list (he wanted a police car!) with Santa during a visit to a holiday market in Finland.
24of 302017: On Santa’s “Nice” ListSarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (right) and Santa Claus attend the Lady Garden Gala in London on Nov. 28, 2017.Dave M. Benett/GettyFergie posed with a rather fit Santa as she attended the Lady Garden Gala in aid of Silent No More Gynaecological Cancer Fund and Cancer Research.
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2017: On Santa’s “Nice” List
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (right) and Santa Claus attend the Lady Garden Gala in London on Nov. 28, 2017.Dave M. Benett/Getty
Fergie posed with a rather fit Santa as she attended the Lady Garden Gala in aid of Silent No More Gynaecological Cancer Fund and Cancer Research.
25of 302017: Meghan’s First Royal ChristmasMembers of the royal family attend a Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalen Church in 2017.Chris Jackson/GettyMeghan Markle’s first royal Christmas! Months before her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan joined the royals at the 2017 Christmas Day service at the St. Mary Magdalene Church.
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2017: Meghan’s First Royal Christmas
Members of the royal family attend a Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalen Church in 2017.Chris Jackson/Getty
Meghan Markle’s first royal Christmas! Months before her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan joined the royals at the 2017 Christmas Day service at the St. Mary Magdalene Church.
26of 302019: Walking Hand in HandKate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in 2019.Joe Giddens/PA Images via GettyPrince George and Princess Charlotte made their Christmas debut alongside the royal family, joining their parents for the church outing in Sandringham.
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2019: Walking Hand in Hand
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George attend the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in 2019.Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
Prince George and Princess Charlotte made their Christmas debut alongside the royal family, joining their parents for the church outing in Sandringham.
27of 302021: Candlelit PerformanceKate Middleton, then Duchess of Cambridge, plays piano at Together at Christmas at at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 24, 2021.Alex Bramall/Kensington Palace via GettyKate hosted her first Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey — and in a surprise move, sheaccompanied singer Tom Walker on the pianofor a performance of"For Those Who Can’t Be Here.”
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2021: Candlelit Performance
Kate Middleton, then Duchess of Cambridge, plays piano at Together at Christmas at at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 24, 2021.Alex Bramall/Kensington Palace via Getty
Kate hosted her first Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey — and in a surprise move, sheaccompanied singer Tom Walker on the pianofor a performance of"For Those Who Can’t Be Here.”
28of 302022: Leading the MassesQueen Camilla (front left) and King Charles III (front right) lead the royal family to St. Mary Magdalene Church on Dec. 25, 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImageOn their way to church on Christmas Day, King Charles III and Queen Camillaled the charge for the first timesince the start of their new reign, reviving the annual tradition after it had been paused since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2022: Leading the Masses
Queen Camilla (front left) and King Charles III (front right) lead the royal family to St. Mary Magdalene Church on Dec. 25, 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
On their way to church on Christmas Day, King Charles III and Queen Camillaled the charge for the first timesince the start of their new reign, reviving the annual tradition after it had been paused since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
29of 302023: Strolling to ChurchPrincess Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall attend the Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Dec. 25, 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImageEn route to St Mary Magdalene Church, the Prince and Princess of Wales locked hands with their children as theyfollowed closely behindKing Charles and Queen Camilla. Joining them wasMia Tindall— daughter of Prince William’s cousin,Zara— who held Louis' hand during their walk.
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2023: Strolling to Church
Princess Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis and Mia Tindall attend the Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Dec. 25, 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
En route to St Mary Magdalene Church, the Prince and Princess of Wales locked hands with their children as theyfollowed closely behindKing Charles and Queen Camilla. Joining them wasMia Tindall— daughter of Prince William’s cousin,Zara— who held Louis' hand during their walk.
30of 302023: A Chat with the ReverendFront, from left to right: Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Williams, Princess Beatrice, Christopher Woolf and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 2023.Joe Giddens/PA Images via GettyPrincess Beatriceintroduced her stepson,Christopher Woolf(a.k.a. “Wolfie”), to the royal family’s holiday walk for the first time. After the church service, the young boy spoke with Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Williams, while Beatrice and her husband,Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, observed proudly.
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2023: A Chat with the Reverend
Front, from left to right: Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Williams, Princess Beatrice, Christopher Woolf and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 2023.Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
Princess Beatriceintroduced her stepson,Christopher Woolf(a.k.a. “Wolfie”), to the royal family’s holiday walk for the first time. After the church service, the young boy spoke with Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Williams, while Beatrice and her husband,Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, observed proudly.
source: people.com
