We reveal ten regal festive traditions celebrated by monarchies around the world… including the sweet Danish version of Elf on the Shelf
All families have their own traditions at Christmas time – and royals around the world are no different.
The British Royal Family are known for spending the festive period at Sandringham, where they are seen visiting church and meeting well-wishers on a walkabout.
Meanwhile, in Monaco, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene join volunteers from the Red Cross to hand out presents to children in the run-up to Christmas.
And in Denmark, the monarchy celebrates through Danish folklore – by hiding elves around their Copenhagen palace.
Read on below as MailOnline reveals some of the Christmas traditions from royals around the world.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip putting decorations on a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle
Sandringham
The British Royal Family typical spends Christmastime at Sandringham, instead of other residences such as Windsor, Balmoral or Buckingham Palace.
Former royal chef, Darren McGrady, previously told the Daily Mirror that the Norfolk residence is more of a ‘home from home’ compared to the other quarters.
He explained: ‘Unlike Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, which belongs to the State, Sandringham is owned by the royals so it’s a real home from home, and somewhere to really relax.’
The late Queen Elizabeth II usually stayed from December to February, until after the anniversary of her father’s death on February 6.
In 2023, King Charles stayed over the festive period before relocating to Balmoral in January this year.
The late Queen and her family attending a church service on Christmas Day in 2017
The King’s favourite food
Christmas dinner for the British Royal Family typically consists of the classic roast turkey with all the trimmings, as well as other delicacies such as ox tongue and stuffed boar’s head.
And on Boxing Day, pulled and grilled turkey in a velouté sauce is traditionally served – which is one of Charles’s favourite dishes, according to food writer and Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles.
The corgis’ Christmas menu
McGrady previously wrote in The Mail on Sunday how when he worked for the Royal Family, even the late Queen’s corgis had a Christmas dinner.
They were well fed pets and enjoyed dining on rabbit, beef or chicken served with cabbage and rice.
There were 12 dogs at the time McGrady was working, but now the remaining two live with Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York.
Prince Charles sitting at a dinner table after attending a Christmas service in 1982
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, pictured smiling with a turkey
Festive football games
Known for being keen on sport, it may be no surprise that the royals incorporated it into Christmas too.
An annual football match was once often played with Prince William and Prince Harry on opposing teams.
It would involve friends and families from the Sandringham Estate at nearby Castle Rising.
The brothers played against each other in a 90-minute game in 2005 and the matched ended with a handshake after Harry’s side won.
An onlooker at the time said: ‘Both princes got into the spirit of the game and worked up quite a sweat.
‘They certainly held their own and did not shy away from tackles. There was a lot of running around and they seemed to enjoy themselves. Harry looked quite fit and was fast on the wing.
‘William had a good game, but missed what could have been an easy goal. It was a well organised match on a marked-out pitch with proper goals and nets.’
Back in 2008, Harry’s team won again and the brothers even performed ‘the odd crunching tackle on each other,’ according to the Mail at the time.
Princes Harry and William playing a festive football game on Christmas Eve in 2008
German Christmas tradition for the British royals
In a nod to their German heritage, the British Royal Family traditionally open their gifts together on Christmas Eve.
They are often small and light-hearted gifts rather than flamboyant. The presents are labelled and laid out on a table.
Harry recalled a Christmas Eve in his book, Spare, and described how, ‘By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place, stood before our mound of presents.’
He described how he received a biro pen with a plastic fish wrapped around it from his great aunt Margaret but saw the gesture as ‘cold-blooded’.
Festive outfits and grass for the reindeer in Monaco
Princess Charlene of Monaco previously revealed some sweet Christmas traditions her family practices.
She told French Magazine Point de Vue, according to People, that her twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, leave out treats for Father Christmas.
She said: ‘They always leave a glass of milk and cookies for him, as well as water and grass for his reindeer.’
Prince Albert also enjoys joining in with the celebration and ‘always wants to wear something festive for the occasion,’ the princess reportedly said.
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco, dressed in a festive hat and tie, in 2017
Monaco Christmas gift giving
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene host an annual gift giving event at Prince’s Palace.
Each year, lucky children are invited to the royal residence to receive Christmas gifts.
Their two youngsters have previously joined them at the event.
The tradition began decades ago by Prince Albert’s mother, Princess Grace, according to Tatler.
Princess Grace of Monaco giving out presents to children back in 1973
Charlene chats to families who were visiting the palace for the gift giving event last year
Danish Christmas Elves
Back in 2021, the Danish Royal Family shared how Queen Margrethe made little elves to hide around the palace.
In a similar way to the popular Elf on the Shelf tradition, the small red figures were put in hiding spots such as chandeliers and in curtains.
The concept seems to be linked to Nisser – a mischievous creature that features in Danish folklore that protects the household and only eats on Christmas Eve.
They launched a digital advent calendar in 2021 showing where the elves were hidden each day.
Queen Margrethe handmaking Christmas elves to hide around the palace in 2021
The elves hiding in various places in the palace including a chandelier and curtains
King Frederik and Queen Mary with their four children – Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine – in 2021
Sinterklaas and the Dutch royals
It is traditional for Dutch families to welcome Sinterklaas – a legendary figure based on St Nicholas.
The Netherlands’ Royal Family have been known to get involved with the festivities too.
Back in 2012, Queen Maxima was pictured with her three daughters, Princesses Catharina-Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane as they greeted Sinterklaas in Scheveningen.
The tradition means gifts are usually given on December 5 in the Netherlands, on Saint Nicholas’ Eve.
Sinterklaas – a legendary figure based on St Nicholas – pictured in 2019
Spanish royals on Christmas Eve
The Spanish royal family, like the British royals, also exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, according to the Daily Express.
The tradition to exchange gifts on December 24 stems from Germany where they celebrate die Bescherung and give out presents.
