Prince William Plans a Modern Christmas Shake-Up When He Eventually Takes the Throne

Prince William is reportedly preparing to make a significant change by ending a long-standing — and increasingly outdated — royal Christmas tradition.

Each year, the Royal Family gathers at Sandringham for their Christmas celebrations, and among the many rituals of the day is one that may soon disappear. William is said to be planning to scrap the custom in which royals receive “joke” £5 gifts according to their seniority within the family. Traditionally, these inexpensive presents were distributed by the King — or previously by the late Queen — from a table arranged in order of the family’s hierarchy.

Sources suggest that when Prince William becomes King, he intends to modernise or completely remove this outdated element of the festivities.

Prince William has already begun to celebrate Christmas a little differently in recent years, choosing a more relaxed approach with Kate and their children. The couple are believed to favour their informal family gatherings at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, spending the holiday with the Middletons and their kids.

This stands in contrast to the royal Christmas at Sandringham, which is far more formal and structured — full of ceremonies, strict schedules and traditional meals. The future King is said to prefer a warmer, more laid-back festive atmosphere than the one historically observed by the Royal Family.

According to the Daily Mail, the £5 gift tradition involves senior royals receiving their presents first, while more junior family members must wait their turn.

READ MORE: Princess Eugenie Speaks Out After She and Princess Beatrice Missed Princess Kate’s Carol Service

A source has suggested that the concept of exchanging small, light-hearted gifts is likely to continue, but the hierarchical element of the tradition is expected to be dropped.

They said: *“While William’s mind is on much bigger changes than just the trestle table, it’s well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he’s never really taken to.

You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas.”*

Another formal element of the Sandringham Christmas is the black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve, where the seating plan also follows strict hierarchy.

The source went on to explain why they believe King Charles has chosen to keep many of the older Christmas traditions intact:

“It’s just not William’s way of doing things at home, and he has apparently quipped in the past that he wouldn’t continue any of that stuff, though he appreciates his father does it for the nostalgia and as a way to remember the Queen.”

One notable change to this year’s Christmas gathering is that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not be attending, following King Charles’s dramatic decision to strip his brother of his royal titles and privileges.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are also set to be removed from Royal Lodge. Andrew will reportedly relocate to another property on the private Sandringham Estate, while Sarah has been told to make her own arrangements.

However, these changes are expected to take effect after Christmas, meaning the disgraced pair will spend one final festive season at Royal Lodge — and will remain away from Sandringham during the royal celebrations.

Source