The British Royal Family has long been renowned for its cherished Christmas traditions, including the exchange of humorous and quirky gifts.
This custom, brimming with lighthearted fun, was famously led in earlier years by Prince Harry, whose mischievous sense of humor often set the tone for the festivities. Gift-giving among the royals can be particularly challenging, as their lives are already adorned with priceless jewels, designer wardrobes, and luxury cars. To counterbalance their opulent surroundings, they embrace a tradition of exchanging playful and sometimes hilariously unconventional presents.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe once elaborated on this tradition in an interview with OK! Magazine, noting that the exchange of joke gifts at Christmas has been a long-standing custom within the family. It brings laughter and levity to their holiday celebrations at Sandringham. In the past, Prince Harry was the primary instigator of these amusing antics, but in his absence, King Charles has taken up the mantle as the family's resident prankster.
Examples of their offbeat gifts over the years illustrate their playful spirit. Princess Anne once gifted King Charles a leather toilet seat, while Kate Middleton presented Prince Harry with a "Grow Your Own Girlfriend" kit. Harry, in turn, delighted the late Queen Elizabeth II with a shower cap bearing the cheeky phrase, "Ain't life grand." While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not celebrated Christmas with the Royal Family since 2018, these humorous exchanges remain an enduring aspect of royal festivities.
Duncan Larcombe reflected on the Royals’ lighter side, remarking that while they may seem reserved and formal, they appreciate humor just like any other family. King Charles himself has credited his sense of humor as essential to maintaining his composure amid the demands of royal life. Recently, Charles has become particularly known for his pranks, especially those aimed at his grandchildren during Christmas celebrations. Princess Anne, often seen as the mischievous aunt, adds her own unpredictable flair, keeping everyone guessing about her next move.
The Royal Family’s penchant for unique and personal gifts sometimes takes a turn for the unexpected. One year, Diana, Princess of Wales, surprised Sarah, Duchess of York, with a leopard-print bath mat. Meghan Markle’s first Christmas gift to Prince Harry in 2017 was a playful spoon engraved with the words “Cereal Killer.” However, not all royal gifts are humorous. In 2016, Kate Middleton gave Queen Elizabeth a jar of her homemade chutney, crafted from her grandmother’s recipe. Kate later shared that she had been apprehensive about such a simple gift, but seeing it featured on the Queen’s table the next day confirmed its success.
Unlike most families who exchange gifts on Christmas Day, the royals adhere to their German heritage by opening their presents on Christmas Eve. Former royal butler Grant Harrold explained that this tradition dates back to Queen Victoria. The family gathers for afternoon tea in Sandringham's White Drawing Room, where they exchange their humorous gifts. More significant presents, particularly for the younger royals, are saved for Christmas morning.
This blend of tradition and modernity ensures the Royal Family's celebrations remain both heartfelt and entertaining. Harrold noted that these customs allow the royals to maintain their heritage while incorporating contemporary touches. It’s a unique way to balance formality with festivity.
Beyond their holiday customs, the Royal Family’s lives are steeped in protocol and tradition. For example, before Prince Harry could propose to Meghan Markle, he had to navigate a significant royal requirement. According to protocol, the first six individuals in line to the throne must seek the monarch’s permission to marry. Harry recounted in his memoir, Spare, how he nervously approached Queen Elizabeth during a shooting trip at Sandringham to ask for her blessing. Despite the nerve-wracking moment, the Queen's response, tinged with her characteristic wit, ultimately gave Harry the green light.
After receiving her blessing, Harry turned his attention to designing a meaningful engagement ring. The ring featured two diamonds from Princess Diana’s personal collection and one from Botswana, symbolizing both personal and shared history.
The Royal Family’s public and private lives are often intertwined in ways that reflect both their human vulnerabilities and their unique responsibilities. For instance, on September 8, 2022, as Queen Elizabeth II’s passing was announced to the world, Prince Harry was still en route to Balmoral. The heartbreaking timing underscored the complex dynamics of balancing personal grief with public duty.
