Ever wondered what Christmas lunch with the Royal Family is like? Well thanks to Mike Tindall, we can begin to imagine.
A Rugby World Cup winner and unlikely royal, Tindall has found himself at a dozen festive gatherings since marrying Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall in 2011.
In the past, he has let on how before the main celebrations take place at Sandringham, the royals enjoy a huge lunch and get-together in the run-up to the big day, with last year’s event taking place on December 20 at Windsor Castle.
In the past, Mike previously shared that although they are in attendance, the younger royals – including Prince Louis – do not sit with fellow royals.
Instead, Mike described how the young royals – including his own children – sit in a separate room to enjoy their Christmas lunch.
In 2019, Mike spoke about the celebrations on his own rugby podcast ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’. James Haskell and Alex Payne, Mike’s co-stars, then asked the royal which of the seven tables he is sat at.
James and Alex asked: “Do you find yourself upgrading every year and getting closer to the main table or are you off out the back?
“Is there a promotion and relegation based on the year’s performance? Because if there is I imagine you’re pretty much sitting on the right-hand side of Her Majesty.”
After sharing that he was on the then-Prince Charles’ table, Mike added: “This is the family lunch, there were seven tables so there must have been about 70 of us there.
“The kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”
Christmas has traditionally been an important occasion for the Royal Family, with late Queen Elizabeth II known to be fond of spending time with her nearest and dearest as a means of recharging and reflecting.
In 2015, she said in her Christmas message: “One of the joys of living a long life is watching one’s children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree.”
Her passing has not changed this focus on family over the festive period, with King Charles known to enjoy a big family presence at Sandringham in Norfolk.
After a year marred by illness for him and Princess Kate, this year looks set to be more of the same, with perhaps, an enhanced period of reflection and appreciation.
Robert Jobson, author of Catherine, The Princess Of Wales told OK!: “The tradition of togetherness at Christmas was a big thing for the late Queen but it’s important for Charles, too, especially this year.
“It’s a lovely chance to see his grandchildren. He’ll be surrounded by those he cherishes most, enjoying the chance to eat, drink and be merry with them.”
The marriage of Charles and Camilla merges two large families and it is likely that members of each will be present this year – which hasn’t always been the case.
In addition to his five grandchildren, the King has five step-grandchildren since his marriage – Lola, Eliza, Louis, Gus and Freddy.
The King’s ongoing estrangement from Prince Harry means that he is unlikely to spend time with Lillibet and Archie over the festive period, with royal sources confident that their absence will “play on the King’s mind”.
