The Royal Family’s Christmas celebration is far from ordinary, mixing tradition with a dose of unexpected humor that keeps the festive season light-hearted behind the palace walls.
While they engage in classic British Christmas customs like attending church services and enjoying a lavish roast dinner, there’s a unique twist that sets their festivities apart – the exchange of comical gifts that tease each other in good spirits.
Within the regal realm, laughter takes center stage, particularly during the annual tradition of giving each other whimsical presents.
From singing hamsters to grow-your-own-girlfriend kits, the royals embrace holiday hilarity with gusto.
One memorable moment in this tradition involves Princess Anne gifting her elder brother, King Charles, a Christmas present that had everyone bursting into laughter.
The Royal Family’s festive antics trace back to a historical Germanic practice where gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve.
Renowned royal expert Robert Jobson explains that on this special evening, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren gather to adorn a towering 20-foot Christmas tree in the White Dining Room.
The gifts, usually light-hearted and inexpensive, are displayed on a white, linen-covered table in the Red Drawing Room, awaiting the royal recipients.
Among the array of amusing gifts swapped over the years, Princess Anne’s choice for King Charles remains a standout moment.
According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, the key to a successful royal Christmas gift lies in its playful nature, evoking laughter from the Queen.
The more quirky, the better, as opulent or extravagant gifts do not resonate well with the monarch.
Former royal butler Peter Burrell sheds light on the royal family’s peculiar sense of humor, noting their fondness for toilet humor stemming from their upbringing.
He quips, “Why wouldn’t Prince Charles appreciate a white, leather toilet seat from his sister Anne?”
The seemingly random gift of a leather-bound toilet seat carried a clever underlying joke.
Former royal press secretary Dickey Arbiter elaborates on the playful gesture, explaining that the term “throne” is often colloquially used to refer to a toilet.
Therefore, Princess Anne’s choice of a leather-bound toilet seat was her humorous way of saying, “Here you go, you now have your own personal throne.”
This amusing gift not only showcased Princess Anne’s wit but also underscored the close bond between the siblings.
In a world often perceived as formal and reserved, the Royal Family’s willingness to engage in light-hearted banter during the holiday season humanizes them, endearing them to the public.