Sandringham House in Norfolk serves as the King's secluded retreat during Christmas, offering a sense of privacy and comfort. The historic country house, with its 29 bedrooms and vast grounds, has undergone subtle updates under the King's guidance, reflecting a more luxurious and personalized ambiance.
When life is a whirl of state visits, ceremonies and public meet-and-greets, having a bolthole to escape to at Christmas is key. For the King, Sandringham House in Norfolk fits the bill. “ Sandringham IS Christmas . It has a very special place in the hearts of the royals,” says royal commentator Duncan Larcombe. “Cameras are rarely invited in, so it’s one of their most private residences. They feel 100% at ease there.
For an old house, Sandringham is surprisingly warm. In his book Spare , the Duke of Sussex recalls how he and his father would conspire, unsuccessfully, to open the windows. “Much of Sandringham was balmy, but the dining room was subtropical,” he wrote. “The corgis betrayed us. The cool air would make them whimper, and Granny would say: Is there a draft? And then a footman would promptly shut the window.
The royals begin arriving in Norfolk in order of seniority, gathering for tea at 4pm on Christmas Eve in the White Drawing Room. Described by Queen Victoria as “a very long and handsome” room, it’s like a wedding cake come to life with exquisite cream panelling and carvings. At 6pm, their traditional Christmas Eve gift opening begins.
It can be 10pm before dinner is finished. Card games are played and classic Christmas films are shown in the ballroom. The Prince and Princess of Wales will make their polite excuses and go home to Anmer Hall – William once confided that the children were up at 5am the next day to see what Santa had brought them.
You may have noticed the very formal manner in which members of the family greet King Charles and Queen Camilla outside the church. “Even on Christmas Day, the family has to bow or courtesy when they first encounter the King and Queen,” says Ingrid. “It might seem strange to us, but they’re so used to doing it, there’s no awkwardness.”
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