How The Royal Family Spent Christmas: A Peek Into Their Traditional Festivities

The royal family is just like any other family when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

They have their own traditions that they follow every year.

Darren McGrady, the former chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana Princess of Wales and Princess William and Harry, revealed in an interview with Cosmopolitan how the elite family spends Christmas.

The family head to Sandringham House in Norfolk for the celebrations, with the Queen heading up early on December 19 or 20, and the family joining on Christmas Eve.

Presents are placed ready for family members on trestle tables at the lavish abode, Darren revealed.

The royals are of German descent, so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations.

After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve.

As is the German tradition, Christmas morning, the family eats a hearty breakfast before heading off to church.

After church, they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.

The menu for Christmas Day doesn't change and is the same year after year.

After everyone has finished tucking into their food, the royal family gathers to watch the Queen's Christmas speech.

During this time, they have time to relax before meeting together later on for afternoon tea and Christmas fruitcake.

In the evening, they will enjoy a lavish buffet lunch, with 16 to 20 different items spread out for them to choose from and chefs on hand to carve the meat.

Unlike in the US, appetizers and canapes are avoided and only reserved for New Year's Eve, but the chocolate-loving Queen will indulge in a dark chocolate treat over Christmas.

Another tradition that is upheld by the Queen is that of the senior chef enjoying a toast with the family after serving dinner.

Darren said, that's the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the royal family.

It's one of the chef's favorite traditions.

Although Buckingham Palace is usually lavishly decorated, Sandringham, a private residence, has more basic decorations.