Kate Middleton joined other senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles, for Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Despite a challenging year, marked by her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment, the Princess of Wales appeared to be in high spirits on the big day.
However, alcohol wasn’t the main focus of the festivities. While many around the globe enjoy a tipple on Christmas Day, it’s reported that the royals don’t overindulge, the Express reports.
Former Royal butler Grant Harrold told HELLO! magazine that he had “hand on heart never seen a member of the Royal Family drunk”.
Mr Harrold, who served the King when he was the Prince of Wales from 2004-2011, said royal Christmas parties were always “hysterically good fun”, but no one ever got “drunk”.
He shared that white wines are traditionally offered with the starter, followed by red wines. Rose or pink champagne is believed to be served after the main course.
While details about the Sandringham Christmas Day celebrations remain private, Prince William did reveal earlier this month that 45 members of the Royal Family would gather for Christmas dinner.
He mentioned to military personnel and their children in Wiltshire that the family convene in a single room but “spread out” during Christmas.
Despite many royals anticipated at Sandringham for the holiday, it appears Prince Harry hasn’t been included in this year’s guest roster, marking the sixth Christmas he’ll be absent from his Royal kin.
The prince, who stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle, is set to celebrate at their home in Montecito, California, along with their two young ones, five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet. Meghan’s mother Doria is also expected to join them for Christmas.
