When it comes to Christmas, the royals don’t do things by halves.
Amongst the black-tie dinners, decadant breakfasts and church services galore, it’s a wonder the royals even have time to open presents.
And while many of the adult royals might look at the festive season as a rather exhausting occasion, we can’t forget the little ones who undoubtedly see Christmas as a magical time full of novelty gifts, treats-a-plenty and running amok with their fellow young relatives.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte no doubt enjoy all sorts of mischief each Christmas.
(Getty)Of course, 2020 threw a rather, erm, un-festive spanner, which meant some of the age-old royal traditions differed that year. Thankfully, in 2021, they will be reconvening according to regular programming because most royal families are efficiently vaccinated.
From adorable Christmas photos to the unexpected time presents are actually opened, keep scrolling as we round up how the young British and European royal tots are celebrating the festive season this year, lockdown or no lockdown.
The British Royals
With three kids below the age of 10, December 25 is undoubtedly special for Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s family.
Indeed we can fully expect that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis will all be very excited at the prospect of a visit from Santa.
The wider British royal family usually have a jam-packed schedule of socialising when it comes to the big day. They indulge in a dinner at Sandringham, Norfolk on Christmas Eve, while Christmas morning starts with a full English breakfast.
Then comes a church service before a 50-minute lunch. The family then gather around the TV to watch the Queen’s pre-recorded Christmas message at 3pm on the dot.
Christmas is usually a very busy day for the British royals.
(PA)It’s rather unusual, but royal kids uniquely open their presents. Instead of opening their gifts on Christmas day, the royal tykes will be allowed to rip open the wrapping paper on Christmas Eve.
This tradition is thanks to their German heritage. As per German tradition – and many European cultures – families open their presents on December 24 and it seems this habit has stuck for the British Royals.
And just because we mightn’t see them out and about in the flesh doesn’t mean we won’t get another glimpse of them.
In 2019, the Cambridges released a gorgeous shot of Prince William and the kids enjoying Christmas Day at their country home of Anmer Hal together.
We’re hoping for something similar this year…!
READ NEXT: The Royal Family’s best Christmas photos from over the years
Here’s hoping we see some sweet new snaps of the royals this year!
(Kensington Royal)And of course, we can’t forget Santa.
In 2017, young Prince George also melted our hearts when his sweet letter to Father Christmas was revealed.
Dad Prince William personally delivered a very special note to the bearded man in red while he was visiting Finland, handing the letter to Santa saying: “I’ve seen you and I had to give you this letter.”
Wills continued: “He hasn’t written down many requests, so I think one request is probably okay.”
In the letter, the young royal circled that he had been “nice,” rather than “naughty” and asked for a “police car” under the tree. He even signed his name (just “George,” no title necessary when Santa’s involved) at the bottom.
Prince George won Christmas back in 2014 with this insanely cute shoot.
(Ed Lane Fox/Getty Images)The Danish Royals
For the young royals in Denmark, Christmas doesn’t always mean snow and a roaring fireplace.
In fact, in 2017, the Danish royal family-of-six announced they would be celebrating Christmas Down Under with Crown Princess Mary’s Tasmanian family.
This year, it’s probably more likely the royals will stay put in Denmark given the current restrictions around COVID-19 and travel thanks to the Omicron variant.
But regardless of where they spend the day itself, Mary and Crown Prince Frederik’s clan including Christian, Isabella, twins Vincent and Josephine, will not do things by halves when it comes to decorating their lavish digs in Denmark.
In 2017, the royal family put in a joint effort to decorate their home Amelienborg, which was shared by the Palace for the public to see.
The Danish royals were captured decorating their Christmas tree in a beautiful family video in 2017.
(Instagram)In the last few years, the Palace has also shared some of the Danish royal Christmas traditions, including decorating the tree with ornaments and four lights that symbolise the four Sundays in advent – originally a German tradition.
The finished product looks striking and tall within the family’s palace. We can’t wait to see what they produce this year!
The Danish royal Christmas tree was a true sight to behold.
(Instagram / @detdanskekongehus)
The Danish Royals know how to make Christmas a magical time!
(hbgbild/MEGA)The Monaco Royals
If previous years’ festivities are anything to go by, we can’t help but get excited to see what’s in store for royal twins Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques!
In 2017, proud mum Princess Charlene of Monaco shared an adorable new photo on Instagram of her twins as they posed in front of the Christmas tree.
And if Christmas time wasn’t already exciting enough for these two tykes, December also entails another rather important occasion: their birthday.
Indeed, the twins will celebrate their seventh birthday on December 10.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene have more than one special occasion to celebrate in December.
(Getty)As for Christmas, the Monaco royals pull out all the stops for their annual palace Christmas party.
In recent years, the royal couple have delighted children at the event in full holiday garb – as pictured above.
For the 2017 event, the pair took in a brief outdoor performance by a local children’s troupe of dancers and posed for photos on the Cour d’Honneur stairwell, before retreating to the throne room for a stage magician’s performance and a spot of hot chocolate.
The Swedish Royals
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s tots, Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel, usually join cousins Princess Estelle, and Prince Oscar – the children of Crown Princess Victoria – for this year’s festivities.
Princess Madeleine’s young ones, Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas and baby Princess Adrienne, also enjoy the day’s festivities.
In 2017, Sweden’s Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel traded in an annual Christmas card for a video. It showed the family, including their two kids Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, playing in the snow outside Stockholm’s Haga Palace.
(Kungahuset)
The Swedish royals will likely be wrapping up for a white Christmas this year.
(Getty)In 2017, Princess Victoria and husband Prince Daniel released an adorable family video of them enjoying a day in the snow at Haga Castle.
The family looked wrapped up warm as they rode sleds down a snow-covered hill.
Who knows, perhaps we’ll see another video from them this year!
Stay tuned…
