Inside Paul Burrell's 'royal Christmas' - and the one thing he'll miss about Sandringham festivities

After all the excitement of Christmas, many parents are eagerly welcoming the return of some much-needed structure as their children go back to school – and the Prince and Princess of Wales are no different. Fresh from their festive celebrations at Sandringham the couple are preparing to send Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, back to Lambrook School to begin a new term. As order is restored for the royals, so too is the task of juggling work and family life.They are able to maintain a calm and happy household thanks, in part, to Kate’s sharp focus on early years development.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmases have been different since they left the royal family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent the festive period with the Royal Family on the Sandringham Estate in 2018. A year later, they decided to celebrate in America with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland before stepping back from The Firm in 2020 and permanently moving to the States.

From travelling the world to living in palaces, it would be hard to argue that being a member of the royal family didn't come without its perks. But alongside these benefits comes a long list of rules that members of the family must remember and comply with. In terms of fashion and beauty, there are ample style regulations put in place that must be followed at all times.This includes things from no bright nail varnish to female royals not being allowed to take their coats off while in public - no matter the temperature.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's hopes of a Christmas reunion in the UK have been dashed due to fresh drama. Fans were hoping that 2023 might be the year the couple would patch things up with the rest of the Royal Family and spend Christmas at Sandringham. In recent months, there have been whispers from sources close to Harry and Meghan suggesting they were keen on spending the festive season with their extended family in Britain.

during their annual walkabout at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham.Ferguson — who is also affectionately known as Fergie — joined the Windsors for the holiday alongside her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, for the fist time since the 90s.According to “Charles III: New King. New Court” author Robert Hardman, the reason why she was welcomed back for the Yuletide occasion was due to King Charles’ love for Beatrice, 35, and Eugenie, 33.“Life moves on.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle missed another Christmas at Sandringham after fans hoped 2023 could be the year the pair make amends with the rest of the Firm.

We've forever in awe at how great Kate Middleton's hair and make-up always looks. Whether she's stepping out on royal engagements or attending black tie balls, the Princess of Wales always looks flawless. Christmas is a busy time for the royal too, with Kate hosting a carol service at Westminster Abbey for the third year in a row, as well as attending the annual Christmas Day church service at Sandringham.

Christmas morning is likely very similar for the Royal Family as it is for many of us up and down the UK. After the younger members of the family have woken up early to see if Santa Claus has been, they will then attend the annual morning service at St Mary Magdalene church. While the church service happens behind closed doors, the Prince of Wales previously revealed some of the best kept secrets from over the years during his appearance on the Apple Fitness + podcast Time to Walk.

While they observe many of the festive traditions that a popular all over the UK, the Royal Family's Christmas is also unique and unexpected in many ways. One of the most well-known royal Christmas traditions is the fact that members of the family buy each other joke gifts, rather than serious ones, with previous presents including a singing hamster, a 'grow your own girlfriend kit' and even a leather toilet seat. Among these hilarious gifts was one Prince Harry decided to give to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Gift-giving can be a challenging affair when your nearest and dearest already own priceless jewels, designer clothes and luxury cars. So instead of splashing out on expensive, over-the-top items, the royals don’t take seasonal gifting seriously.

Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. “We’re probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.

With Christmas only days away, the Royal Family will be making their final preparations to head off to Sandringham to enjoy the festive season together. Despite an invitation having reportedly been extended, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look set to remain in California with their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While this does not come as a surprise after a turbulent year of veiled attacks in the form of books, documentaries and interviews, it is likely the couple will enjoy an intimate festive season.

The Royal Family's Christmas celebrations are famously similar to many other families up and down the country - albeit with a few more unique elements thrown in which take their historic German roots into account. While we can expect to see everyone from The King and the Queen to The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in attendance on the morning walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, what do they get up the rest of the day? The main dinner on Christmas Day is one of the most highly anticipated meals of the year and it’s no secret that we like it to run as smoothly as possible.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "might not be included" in King Charles III's Christmas tradition, according to reports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and moved to the States, have rarely returned to the UK since, and have been absent from every single Christmas at Sandringham since 2018.

The royals have enjoyed spending Christmas at Sandringham for decades, and after creating so many special memories there with the late Queen, the King seems keen for them to keep making more. “Christmas at Sandringham has been absolutely central to the family for years, and that legacy looks certain to continue with Charles,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.

The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoy a very close relationship with the Middleton family and often spend part of the Christmas holidays with them at home in Berkshire. Among many exciting family traditions, this year will be extra special for the family following a new addition to the clan in October.

Dozens of turkeys, hams, cakes, cheeses, mince pies, vintage champagne and fine wines – no corners are cut when the shopping list for the royal Christmas get-together is compiled. Queen Elizabeth II’s former chef Darren McGrady catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 80s and 90s. Speaking to OK! about his time running the kitchen, he reveals.

Members of the Royal Family will spend Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk with their annual trip to church and a host of festive traditions. One of which is opening their presents on Christmas Eve, a tradition they've held for years. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be hosting Christmas this year, joined by their families including Prince William and Kate Middleton along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Christmas is a time to let our hair down and pop open the champagne to celebrate the festive season with our loved ones. But for members of the Royal Family, it's not quite as easy as that, as they have a booze rule they always follow. This year, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be hosting Christmas at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with both sides of their family taking part in the festivities.

Younger members of the Royal Family have been banned from taking photographs and selfies during this year’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, OK! can reveal. As is tradition, the Royals will gather at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk over the festive season, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.