Meghan Markle Once Bought The Queen A Christmas Gift That Left Her In Stitches

No matter what time of year it is, it’s fascinating to learn more about the holiday traditions of the royal family. They actually have strict regulations during the festive season, but when they exchange presents with one another, those rules don’t necessarily apply. As traditional as royal life seems to be, all the rules seemingly fly out the window on Christmas day. So when Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the royals, the experience wasn't even close to what she'd expected...

Meghan's daunting task

In 2017, Meghan Markle, who was set to become the newest member of the royal bunch, faced the unenviable task of buying appropriate gifts for all of her soon-to-be in-laws. And that included her groom-to-be’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II – perhaps the hardest person in the world to buy a Christmas present for.

Royal rules and regulations

A royal Christmas celebration is no casual event; in fact, it is a highly regimented affair. Reportedly, guests attending the palace parties are given schedules and room maps so that they always know where they’re meant to be and when. They even have to arrive in order of rank, which adds a whole new level of complication to proceedings.

They must attend a service on Christmas morning

Christmas Day is an extremely busy affair as well. First, the royals get dressed up in nice outfits to walk to St Mary Magdalene Church for the morning Christmas service. The Queen was driven there in the past few years, but King Charles may well walk too. If you want to spot a royal at Christmas, then, that church is the place to be.

Black tie and glamorous gowns

Then there are the dresses. “The family comes down for breakfast dressed in their church outfits – usually a day dress or a smart suit with pearls for the women,” royal biographer Claudia Joseph told Vogue in December 2017. “For lunch on Christmas Eve, the men wear suits, and the women wear smart silk dresses, but they change into black tie and glamorous gowns for dinner.”