Why Meghan Markle Can't Open Presents on Christmas Anymore
Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the royal family last year when she was just engaged to Prince Harry. If you’ll recall, she attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas party, which actually broke royal protocol because typically only spouses of the royal family are invited. Now that Markle is officially a member of the tribe, though, there’s a whole new slate of royal rules and traditions she’ll have to adopt. One that might be a big change for Markle is that the family opens presents at teatime on Christmas Eve—not Christmas morning, like most of us mere mortals.
“On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime,” reads a section from the the family’s official website.
This isn’t that strange of a tradition, if you think about it. Most families who celebrate Christmas usually do something exciting the night before, like open one present. But if Markle’s ever had a proper Christmas morning—and she probably has—then this new schedule will be an adjustment nonetheless. However, the fact that she’ll be celebrating Christmas inside a literal palace will no-doubt make the transition a little easier.
PHOTO: Getty Images
The royals historically spend both Christmas and New Year’s at Sandringham House, the queen’s country estate in Norfolk. They usually attend the Christmas morning church service at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip send out about 750 Christmas cards that normally include some type of family photo. Can’t wait to see what Markle is wearing in that pic! My money is on something navy with her hair in a messy bun.
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