Topics: Royal Family, Christmas, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s three children reportedly follow a long-standing royal Christmas tradition, which means they do not sit with their parents for the main festive meal.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are expected to join the wider Royal Family at Sandringham over the Christmas period, where the day is understood to run very differently from the relaxed celebrations many families have at home.
The Norfolk estate has long been the centre of royal festivities, with church on Christmas morning, formal dress codes, and a carefully organised lunch all forming part of the annual routine.
Although the Prince and Princess of Wales have often been described as wanting to give their children as normal an upbringing as possible, royal protocol is still said to shape parts of the day.
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The reason George, Charlotte, and Louis are reportedly kept away from the adult table comes down to etiquette.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, has previously explained that younger members of the family are not usually seated with adults until they are ready for the expectations of formal dining.
According to The Sun, McGrady said the children ‘aren’t allowed to sit with the adults until they have learned the art of polite conversation.’
Reported by The Express: "Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had to learn very early on what they can and cannot do."
The tradition means royal children may eat separately from senior family members during major meals, including Christmas lunch.
McGrady added: "The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table."
The nursery was not only used as a separate dining space, according to the former chef, but also as somewhere younger royals could be introduced to suitable meals.
He said: "Nanny always had control of the menu and made sure they ate balanced meals that included not only lots of healthy vegetables but also introduced them to new grown-up dishes too."
The arrangement is also said to reflect the sheer size of the royal Christmas gathering.
Mike Tindall, who is married to King Charles’ niece Zara Tindall, has previously said around 70 guests can attend the festive lunch at Sandringham.
According to The Sun, he said: “There are seven tables and then the kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”
Royal expert Jennie Bond has also said King Charles has “loosened up” some of the Christmas Day rules since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but formality remains part of the celebration.
She said: “A certain degree of decorum is still required.”
Other traditions reportedly include arriving on time, dressing smartly for church and lunch, and avoiding overly expensive gifts, with joke presents said to be preferred.
