Inside Meghan’s ‘amazing’ first Christmas at Sandringham: From afternoon tea to ‘singing’ gift for the Queen

In 2017, newly engaged Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the Royal Family, marking a significant step into royal life. 

Instead of staying at Sandringham, which had ample bedrooms, she and Prince Harry accepted an invitation from Prince William and Princess Catherine to stay at their newly renovated country residence, Anmer Hall. 

There, they joined in the long-established Christmas celebrations, which royal biographer Andrew Morton describes as surprisingly laid-back. 

In his book, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, the author writes: ‘Though it was fresh and exciting for Meghan, Christmas at Sandringham has a regular soothing rhythm, like one of the many grandfather clocks that dominate the corridors.’ 

Indeed, the Duchess recalled her ‘amazing’ first Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family in her 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan.

‘I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham,’ Meghan recalled. ‘Calling my mum, and she’s like, “How’s it going?” And I said, “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing.”

‘It’s just like a big family like I always wanted,’ she added. ‘And there was just this constant movement and energy and fun.’

She then detailed how at dinner she was sat next to Prince Philip, ‘H’s grandfather’. 

In 2017, newly engaged Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the Royal Family, marking a significant step into royal life

Meghan explained: ‘And I just thought it was so wonderful. And I was like, “Oh, we chatted and it was so great.” And I talked about this, and talked about this.

‘He [Harry] was like, “You had his bad ear. He couldn’t hear anything you were saying.” I was like “Oh. Well, I thought it went really well.”‘

Unlike other women who married into the Royal Family, Meghan was invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham five months before her wedding to Harry. 

This unprecedented decision was seen as a highly personal gesture from Queen Elizabeth, signalling her warm welcome to the former actress. 

The festivities commenced at 4pm on Christmas Eve in Sandringham’s wood-panelled drawing room, where the family gathered for afternoon tea – a meal cherished by the late Queen Elizabeth II. 

The spread included an assortment of delicate sandwiches, scones, muffins and cakes, accompanied by Earl Grey and the Queen’s favourite Indian blend tea.

At 6pm, the family reconvened in the elegant white drawing room to exchange presents, continuing a cherished royal tradition. 

Gifts were displayed on cloth-covered tables, each pile marked with a name card. 

Prince Harry and Meghan were seen leaving Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth’s annual Royal Christmas Lunch

Meghan beamed as she was photographed in the car leaving the family lunch

Instead of staying at Sandringham, which had ample bedrooms, Meghan and Harry accepted an invitation from William and Catherine to stay at their newly renovated country residence, Anmer Hall

The gift exchange, as described by Mr Morton, could become quite lively. ‘Princess Margaret’s ex-husband Lord Snowdon once described the scene as “total uproar” as everyone tore open their gifts,’ he says.

Rather than opting for lavish presents, the Royal Family are known to select quirky, humorous and often unusual gifts for each other. 

Harry has a track record of delivering the most entertaining surprises, with other family members joining in on the playful spirit. 

‘One year, Harry gave the Queen a shower cap with the printed phrase “Ain’t life a bitch” on it,’ Mr Morton reveals.

‘Another year he gave her a singing Big Mouth Billy Vass, which has pride of place on the piano in her Balmoral study.

‘In her day, Diana was once given a pair of false bosoms, while Princess Anne received a monogrammed door mat. 

‘One report suggested that Meghan got into the zany spirit, giving the Queen a singing hamster, which, apparently, the corgis eyed dolefully.’

Following this laughter-filled exchange, the family retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening’s formal dinner. 

Harry and Meghan joined the Royal Family for the customary walk to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Dressed in a beige wrap coat by Sentaler, Stuart Weitzman boots and a custom Philip Treacy beret, Meghan exuded sophistication 

Kate and Meghan curtsied at Queen Elizabeth upon her arrival at the church

Meghan joined the Royal Family at Sandringham for the first time in 2017

The event adhered to a black-tie dress code, with elegant gowns taking centre stage. 

At 8pm sharp, the family gathered for pre-dinner drinks, with Queen Elizabeth making her entrance fifteen minutes later, ready to enjoy her signature dry Martini.

But not everyone was entirely delighted by the formalities. Sarah Ferguson reportedly expressed frustration with the numerous outfit changes required during the event. 

According to Mr Morton: ‘The Duchess of York once recalled: “Christmas can be exhausting, not least because you sometimes change seven times in twenty-four hours. You never let the Queen beat you down for dinner, end of story – to come in any later would be unimaginably disrespectful.”‘

The banquet that followed was a feast of local delicacies, featuring Norfolk shrimps, Sandringham estate lamb and Tarte Tatin.

Adding a festive touch, the royals pulled crackers filled with silver or gold crowns, bringing a sense of shared merriment to the occasion. 

‘Like everyone except the Queen, Meghan crowned herself with the paper hat,’ Mr Morton pens. 

After the service, the family returned to Sandringham for lunch and gathered to watch the Queen’s annual Christmas broadcast, a tradition that capped off their celebrations

Christmas morning began with Meghan and Harry sharing breakfast with William and Kate at Anmer Hall, while George and Charlotte unwrapped their presents. 

Later, Meghan joined the royals for the customary walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Dressed in a beige wrap coat by Sentaler, Stuart Weitzman boots and a custom Philip Treacy beret, the Duchess exuded sophistication as she walked alongside William and Kate, smiling and waving to the crowds gathered along the path. 

Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth, for the first time, arrived by car, accompanied by Camilla.

After the service, the family returned to Sandringham for lunch and gathered to watch the Queen’s annual Christmas broadcast, a tradition that capped off their celebrations. 

In her speech, she referenced ‘new members’ of the family – a sentiment widely interpreted as a nod to Meghan.