The festive season often sees the nation’s gaze fixed on the Royal Family, especially for the monarch’s heartfelt Christmas message. The Windsors maintain their tradition of attending church together on Christmas Day, greeting well-wishers during their walk to and from St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, and this year promises to continue that cherished routine.
However, it seems that Kate Middleton is keen to shake up the Windsor’s Yuletide customs. Reports suggest she’s looking to discard a long-standing Royal practice she finds “weird” – the exchange of gifts on Christmas Eve, a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria’s time, reflecting the family’s German roots.
It was during Victoria’s reign that another Germanic holiday custom gained popularity under royal influence: the Christmas tree. Victoria’s hubby, Prince Albert, is credited with popularising the Christmas tree tradition in the UK, a trend initially set off by another German import, Queen Charlotte, way back in 1800, reports the Mirror.
The late Queen Elizabeth relished the gift-giving on Christmas Eve – a nod to her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria and a reflection of her own deep Christian faith, preferring to keep Christmas Day itself for spiritual reflection. Yet, according to Daily Beast whispers, it seems Kate is not too keen on this tradition.
“Kate has always found the presents on Christmas Eve thing weird,” an insider confessed. They added: “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.”
