Princess Anne’s son-in-law Mike Tindall has shared some insights about royal traditions, including the seven different tables at the festive feast
Mike Tindall has given a glimpse into what a Royal Christmas truly entails – and why Prince Louis will be dining separately from his parents on the big day.
As the son-in-law of Princess Anne, former rugby star Mike is no stranger to Royal Christmases. These typically take place at the majestic Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, and this year’s celebrations are set to be the most bustling in years.
With around 45 guests gathering at the grand country house – including Queen Camilla’s children and grandchildren – there’s bound to be plenty of merriment and laughter as the family indulges in their cherished annual traditions.
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Naturally, this includes the well-known exchange of humorous gifts on Christmas Eve and a Christmas morning stroll to the 16th-century St. Mary Magdalene Church. Then, much like families across the country, the Firm will dig into a roast turkey with all the trimmings.
Before the main festivities kick off, the monarch also hosts a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, which took place on December 19 this year. However, the seating arrangements might surprise Royal enthusiasts, who might expect the three young Wales children to be seated next to Prince William and Princess Kate, reports the Mirror.
In 2019, Mike Tindall, who married Zara Phillips in 2011, shared insights into Royal Christmas celebrations on his rugby podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, revealing that children’s festive meals are handled quite differently.
When podcast co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne questioned him about seating arrangements, asking: “Do you find yourself upgrading every year and getting closer to the main table, or are you off out the back?” they pressed further: “Is there a promotion and relegation based on the year’s performance? Because if there is I imagine you’re pretty much sitting on the right-hand side of Her Majesty.”
Providing a peek behind the curtain, Mike responded: “This is the family lunch, there were seven tables so there must have been about 70 of us there. The kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”
Former Royal chef Darren McGrady had previously told the BBC that Royal Family Christmas traditions require youngsters like Prince Louis to dine separately.
He elaborated: “The children always ate in the nursery until they were old enough to conduct themselves properly at the dining table. So for the Queen, there was never a case of putting a high chair at the table with a little baby squealing and throwing food. It was Victorian. The children’s place was in the nursery, and Nanny would take care of them. It’s your modern-day Downton Abbey.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales caught Royal watchers off guard this year when they failed to appear at the traditional pre-Christmas lunch held at Buckingham Palace. Royal enthusiasts had anticipated seeing the couple arrive with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis for the yearly gathering.
Yet, shortly before the festivities were due to begin, news emerged that the family had already decamped to their Norfolk residence, Amner Hall, to kick off their Christmas break. A source close to Kensington Palace informed The Telegraph: “The decision not to attend the lunch was made some time ago.”
An earlier version of this story was published in December 2024
