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This year will be the second Christmas Meghan Markle has spent with the Royal Family in Sandringham – but it will be first where she will be required to follow all the firm’s traditions since becoming a member in May. One of those traditions is that royals do not open presents on Christmas Day. But luckily for Meghan the Royal Family still exchange presents the night before on Christmas Eve. This tradition dates back the reign of King William IV and Queen Adelaide, who brought the German tradition of Christmas trees and the giving of presents of Heiligabend Bescherung – giving gifts on the Holy Evening (Christmas Eve).
The Royal Family’s website states: “On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime.”
And Meghan can expect to receive something special from the Queen.
According to the book A Royal Christmas, published by the Royal Collection Trust, “token gifts” are usually exchanged by the royals.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, for her first Christmas with the Royal Family made some of her “granny’s recipe of chutney” for the Queen.
Meanwhile, Meghan is said to have won over the Queen with a hilarious gift last year that became a favourite with her beloved corgis.
Meghan received the special honour of being invited to Sandringham for Christmas, something even her sister-in-law Kate did not receive until after she married Prince William.
A source told the Daily Star Online: “Meghan bought a little hamster that sings with a little rope for Her Majesty.
“It was so funny, especially when the corgis tried to take hold of the toy.”
Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland has been invited by the Queen to join the royals in Sandringham this year, according to a royal insider – in another unprecedented “thoughtful gesture” towards Prince Harry’s wife.
A senior royal source said the unique move was “a very thoughtful gesture”.
The source added: “It’s a mark of the Queen’s respect for Meghan and an acknowledgement that she doesn’t have any other relations in this country – unlike Kate who has the support of a very close family.”
The offer is without precedent, even towards Prince William’s in-laws who have stayed nearby at Kate and William’s home, Anmer Hall, when invited by the Queen to join the Royal Family at the Christmas morning church service.
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