Former rugby player Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Tindall (granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II), has unveiled an intriguing tradition about the British Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations.
Royal Traditions Unveiled: Prince Louis’s Separate Dining
On his rugby-themed podcast, “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby”, in 2019, Tindall reminisced about attending the royal Christmas feast. He revealed that the event is a magnificent gathering of around 70 guests, spread across seven tables. However, only senior and significant members of the family sit together, while the younger members, including Prince Louis, dine separately in a designated room.
When quizzed humorously by hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne about his seating position, Tindall responded with a laugh:
“It’s a family lunch with seven tables. There must have been about 70 of us there. The kids have their own table in a different room.”
King Charles Hosts Buckingham Palace Christmas Luncheon
This year, King Charles III hosted the pre-Christmas lunch on December 19 at Buckingham Palace. The event was exclusive to senior royals and extended family members who wouldn’t be joining the Sandringham Christmas celebrations. Several members of the Royal Family were spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace that day, including the King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie with her husband Jack Brooksbank.
The guest list also included Lord Frederick Windsor with his wife Sophie Winkleman and daughter Isabella, the Duke of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, among others. Notably absent was Prince Andrew, embroiled in controversies involving a Chinese businessman. His office clarified that he had “ceased all ties” with the businessman as soon as concerns arose. Prince Andrew was also missing from the Sandringham celebrations.
The Wales Family and Prince Louis’s Festive Spotlight
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales skipped the Buckingham Palace gathering, opting to start their Christmas break early at Amner Hall in Norfolk. Prince Louis, however, made a festive appearance with his mother, showcasing his warm bond with his uncle, Mike Tindall, during the family’s annual Christmas carol concert.
As these insights reveal, even in the grandeur of royal traditions, there’s a touch of human warmth and quirky exclusivity, making the British Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations as fascinating as ever.
