Gag Gifts and Charades! The Royal Family’s Christmas Traditions Sound Surprisingly Similar to Our Own

Christmas with the royals! Spending the holiday season with Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, Duchess Kate (née Middleton) and more of the British family means partaking in fun traditions like gag gifts and charades. If you’re a big fan of the royal family, then you know they go all out in honor of the joyful holiday.

Her Majesty has been hosting her annual Christmas celebration at her Sandringham estate since 1988. Each year, she and husband Prince Philip gather with their beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including William and Kate’s kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, at their country home.

The queen’s other grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have also been regulars at the royal family festivity since they started dating in 2017. It’s unclear whether or not the Duke of Sussex and the former Suits actress will be celebrating Christmas with the royals this year, however, as they moved to Santa Barbara, California, with their son, Archie, after stepping back from their duties in January.

2020 Christmas is going to be different for everyone, though, as Elizabeth was forced to cancel her annual celebration amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In early December, Buckingham Palace announced that the royals would not be getting together at her Sandringham home.

Despite their setback, William and Kate — who married in 2011 — are “planning a big surprise” for Her Royal Highness, an insider told Closer Weekly. The longtime lovebirds are “going out of their way to lift her spirits and make it extra special.”

According to the source, William is “organizing a family Zoom call on Christmas Day.” Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as their spouses and children, “will be joining in on the fun,” the insider added, noting Harry and Meghan will also “dial in from across the pond with Archie.”

“Yes, Christmas will be different and lonelier for the queen this year, but at least she’ll feel the love,” the source continued. “Thanks to Kate and William bringing their family together from around the world.” We bet Elizabeth is feeling grateful for her family.

In honor of the 2020 season, scroll through the gallery below to see some of the best royal family Christmas traditions!