Zara Tindall has offered rare insight in the Royal Family‘s Christmas customs – as she prepares to join King Charles and her extended family at Sandringham Estate.
Attending the Battle of the Commentators charity lunch at Evolution London in Battersea Park on Wednesday, the daughter of Princess Anne reportedly revealed how they spend the festive season.
The mother-of-three was said to shed light on how they enjoy the holidays, keeping up with both traditions and more modern elements – including a surprising gift-giving custom that involves the whole family.
According to a source, Zara confirmed the long suspected tradition of a black tie dinner on Christmas eve, where King Charles and Queen Camilla usually host their extended family at Sandringham in Norfolk.
And apparently it’s not just the younger family members who are treated to a stocking, with even the most senior royals waking up to a festive goodie bag on the big day.
According to the insider, she said: ‘We give presents to each other on Christmas Eve. As adults, we still have stockings on Christmas Day,’ reported Hello!.
When quizzed over whether even her late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, would have stockings on Christmas day, Zara replied, ‘Of course’.
Accompanied by her doting husband, Mike Tindall, 46, Zara is a regular attendee of the Sandringham Christmas celebrations.
Zara (right) and Mike Tindall (left) pictured attending Christmas Day service at Sandringham 2022. The mother-of-three shed light on how the royals celebrate Christmas, keeping up with both traditions and more modern festive elements – including a surprising gift-giving custom that involves the whole family
Zara and Mike Tindall pictured with their daughter, Lena, six, on Christmas Day 2023. She has offered rare insight in the Royal Christmas as she prepares to join King Charles and her extended family at Sandringham Estate
The pair are regularly spotted making the annual amble to St Mary Magdalene Church, where the family attend a Christmas Day service.
In former years, the couple have brought along their two daughter, Mia, ten, and Lena, six, though their youngest, Lucas, three, is yet to enjoy his first Christmas Day outing.
In previous years, the adorable young Tindalls have stolen the show alongside their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Since becoming king, Charles, 76, appears to have made effort to stick to royal traditions. However, in recent years the royal has allowed for an even bigger celebration with Queen Camilla, 77, also inviting her children and grandchildren to Sandringham.
Amid tensions regarding the Royal Lodge, it seems that Prince Andrew won’t be excluded from the festive celebrations this year.
Royal commentator Emily Andrews wrote in Woman Magazine: ‘Friends say that the extended Royal Family who were invited to Sandringham last year – among them Prince Andrew and his family, and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, are awaiting to see how Charles’ health holds up in the coming weeks, but they hope to all go.’
The news comes after Zara was spotted taking part in the final leg of a charity cycle ride on Saturday.
She appeared to be in good spirits as she braved the chilly November air, joining cyclists in Berkshire to take part in the final leg of the Cycle4Caroline Endurance Charity Cycle Challenge.
The royals attending church in 2023. Since becoming king, Charles, 76, appears to have made effort to stick to royal traditions. However, in recent years the royal has allowed for an even bigger celebration with Queen Camilla, 77, also inviting her children and grandchildren to Sandringham
The Tindalls pictured in 2023. In previous years, the adorable young Tindalls have stolen the show alongside their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
Taking on the final day on Saturday, the royal joined in on the 11-day event, which is raising money for Spinal Research and the British Eventing Support Trust.
As well as raising funds, it honours the life of the event rider Caroline March, who tragically died aged 31 in March earlier this year after she sustained life-changing injuries during an eventing fall in 2022.
Showing off her athletic prowess, mother-of-three Zara donned a pair of plum leggings and a navy zip up coat.
The daughter of princess Anne put safety first, sporting a white helmet and a pair of black cycling trainers. Completing the look, she warmed up with a thick pair of black Velcro gloves.
The royal opted to remain fresh faced, showing off her dewy complexion and flushed autumnal cheeks.
King Charles’s niece – a skilled equestrian who previously competed in eventing and boasts a silver Olympic medal in the sport – was joined by fellow competitive riders, William Fox-Pitt, Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker, yesterday.
The team of riders joined a further 100 cyclists, who began the 11-day epic journey at Blair Castle in Scotland on 20 November to cycle 684 miles to The Savoy hotel in London.
The final leg of the enormous cycle challenge covered around 37 miles, starting in Windsor and finishing off in London.
Zara and Mike in 2018. The news comes after Zara was spotted taking part in the final leg of a charity cycle ride on Saturday
In previous years, the adorable young Tindalls have stolen the show alongside their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte (pictured left alongside Mia Tindall) and Prince Louis
The equestrian also revealed that it’s not just the younger family members who are treated to a stocking, but than even the most senior royals wake up to a festive good bag on the big day
As she took on the mighty ride, Zara appeared in good spirits, grinning as she chatted to fellow bikers.
The royal took on the endurance defying ride without the company of her beloved husband, Mike Tindall, 46.
Led by European Gold medal winning eventing rider Piggy March, and husband Tom, the ultra-endurance cycle hopes to raise £500,000. The charity have currently raised a total of £253,595.
Having started earlier this month in November, courageous cyclists have braved sub-freezing temperatures, snow and Storm Bert during their travels.
The heroic event was then concluded just in time for the cyclists to celebrate their immense efforts the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) ball on Saturday.
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