Christmastime for the British royal family is a very special time. Not only do they deck the halls with the most lavish Christmas decorations, but every year Queen Elizabeth invites the family (only engaged or married couples) to Sandringham House where she hosts an intimate meal for the closest members of her family. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their respective children spend the holiday in good company with the Queen and Prince Charles at her country home.
As per tradition, the royal family attends the Sunday Church service on Christmas Day. This year marks a special milestone for Meghan and Harry as it will be their first Christmas as a family-of-three since welcoming their son Archie. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their now six-month-old on May 6, 2019, and surely this will be a memorable date.
Scroll through the gallery to see photos of Christmas past – from Princess Diana to a young Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, and more, see how the royals have done Christmas in previous years.
© GettyImagesFamily portrait
Prince Charles and Princess Diana pose with an adorable baby Prince Willilam in 1982.
© GettyImagesLittle royals
Zara Tindall holds the hand of Princess Anne on her first time joining the family for Christmas Day service.
© GettyImagesLittle Prince
Little Prince Willliam is a handsome little guy on Christmas Day in a light blue coat and knee-high socks.
© GettyImagesSister sister
A young Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice dressed to the nines on Christmas Day in 1998.
© GettyImagesChristmas in the \'90s
Tweens Prince Harry and Prince William accompany their father, Prince Charles, and the rest of the British royal family to Sandringham Church.
© GettyImagesFamily outing
Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the rest of the British monarchy continue the holiday tradition at Sandringham.
© GettyImagesWilliam and Kate
Prince William and Kate Middleton make their annual appearance at Sandringham in 2013. How fabulous are Kate's boots?
© GettyImagesLike mother, like daughter
Princess Charlotte is the cutest little toddler on Christmas 2016, matching with her mom in coordinating hues. We can't get over her adorable hair flip!
© GettyImagesThe Cambridges
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte step out on Christmas Day before Prince Louis made it a beautiful family-of-five!
© GettyImagesDuchess Debut
Meghan Markle made her Christmas in Sandringham debut in 2017. At the time, the now Duchess of Sussex was engaged to Prince Harry with their wedding approximating May 19, 2018.
© GettyImagesFab four
As a tradition, the royals couples attend the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.
