Inside the royal homes at Christmas, including Kate and William’s 30ft tree and the Queen’s 620 presents

CHRISTMAS is nearly upon us and the royal family are known for going all out with their celebrations. 

From 30ft trees to grand staircases decked out in spectacular garlands, the royal residences are simply breathtaking. 



Christmas at the palace is always a breathtaking affair

This year will be slightly different for the royal family thanks to the pandemic.

Her Majesty, 95, has been forced to scrap her traditional trip to Sandringham, Norfolk, as the UK battles rapidly rising cases of the Omicron variant.

While William, Kate and their kids will spend Christmas day in Norfolk with the Middleton family away from the Queen, it is understood.

Buckingham Palace

Every year, the Queen has Buckingham Palace decked out with huge 20ft Christmas trees and twinkling fairy lights, which stay up until in January.

Royal fans got a glimpse of the ornate display in Buckingham Palace’s Marble Hall via the royal family’s Instagram page. 

The stunning decorations included three large Christmas trees – which were grown in Windsor – as well as a garland fixed along the grand staircase.

The trees were decorated with some very fitting ornaments, which came in the shape of crowns, crests and carriages. 


There are three large Christmas trees in Buckingham Palace's Marble Hall
There are three large Christmas trees in Buckingham Palace’s Marble Hall

Crown ornaments have been placed on the firs
Crown ornaments have been placed on the firs

There are also decorations in the shape of carriages
There are also decorations in the shape of carriages

The garland was just as glamorous, with velvet bows and colourful baubles lining the golden banister.

Sparkling white lights finish off the festive arrangement.

The Queen hosts members of her family – kids included – for a Christmas buffet at Buckingham Palace before she heads to Sandringham. 

At the festive event, the Queen sits the children in a separate room and there are no crackers on the table. 


The garland along the grand staircase is adorned with baubles
The garland along the grand staircase is adorned with baubles

There are luxurious velvet bows across the banister
There are luxurious velvet bows across the banister

Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughter Zara, said: “This is the other one, the family lunch, there must be about 70 of us there – there are seven tables and then the kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”

The Queen is also said to buy 620 gifts for royal staff and family, which works out at a final bill of around £30,000, according to a former palace aide.

The aide told Fabulous: “The presents are usually a book token, or a small piece of china from the palace gift shop, and most years she gives them a small Christmas pudding in a box as well.” 

Kensington Palace


This is the sparkling Christmas tree that marks the start of the royals' Christmas at Kensington Palace
This is the sparkling Christmas tree that marks the start of the royals’ Christmas at Kensington Palace

The tree will also light up the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton
The tree will also light up the home of Prince William and Kate Middleton

Over at Kate Middleton and Prince William’s home, Kensington Palace, decorations are similarly grand. 

The family usually have a gigantic 30ft tree outside their beautiful home, which is covered in lights and certainly looks fit for royalty.

The tree acts as a centrepiece for the Kensington royal residence and is lit up throughout the Christmas period.

It is located in the palace grounds and marks the official start of the dukes and duchess’ yuletide season.

Typically the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their three kids, head to Norfolk with the Queen to spend the Christmas holidays. 

Windsor Castle


The Queen has got in Christmas spirit today and a 15ft Nordmann Fir tree was erected in the Crimson Drawing Room in Windsor Castle
The Queen also has a 15ft Nordmann Fir tree was erected in the Crimson Drawing Room in Windsor Castle

All staff members of The Royal Household typically receive a Christmas pudding and a card
All staff members of The Royal Household typically receive a Christmas pudding and a card

The Queen also makes sure Windsor Castle gets the star treatment ahead of Christmas. 

Last year, staff were pictured putting up Christmas trees up at Windsor Castle – and they looked extremely grand. 

Festive photographs show the traditional 15ft Nordmann Fir trees from Windsor Great Park being erected in the Crimson Drawing Room, and a 20ft version in St George’s Chapel.


Staff had to climb ladders to get the red and gold decorations to the higher branches
Staff have to climb ladders to get the red and gold decorations to the higher branches

The decorations are now the centre-pieces of the grand rooms of the Queen's weekend palace
The decorations are the centre-pieces of the grand rooms of the Queen’s weekend palace

A staff member of Windsor Castle adjust part of the Grand Service bought by Queen Victoria in 1840
A staff member of Windsor Castle adjust part of the Grand Service bought by Queen Victoria in 1840

 The giant 20ft tree at Windsor Castle will still be taken down around the Twelfth Night
The giant 20ft tree at Windsor Castle will still be taken down around the Twelfth Night

 The show-stopping Christmas decorations are an annual royal tradition
The show-stopping Christmas decorations are an annual royal tradition

 A Royal Collection Trust member of staff puts the finishing touches to a 20ft Nordmann fir tree,  sourced from the Windsor Great Park
A Royal Collection Trust member of staff puts the finishing touches to a 20ft Nordmann fir tree, sourced from the Windsor Great Park

The lavish decorations are a stone's throw away from Prince Harry and Meghan's home, Frogmore Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle
The lavish decorations are a stone’s throw away from Prince Harry and Meghan’s UK home, Frogmore Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle


The show-stopping Christmas decorations are an annual tradition

Staff carefully added red and gold baubles to the impressive trees, before hanging miniature crowns and silver-gilt pieces from the Grand Service.

Ladders were needed to reach the highest branches of the trees that are now the centre-pieces of the grand rooms of the Queen’s weekend palace, which is a stone’s throw from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s UK home Frogmore Cottage. 

The show-stopping Christmas decorations are an annual tradition, with Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert being the first to ship over a 26ft Nordmann Fir from Germany for the castle. 

Clarence House



Clarence House also gets the yuletide treatment with a gold and red tree

Charles and Camilla’s tree is decorated with gold garlands and Santa ornaments

Charles and Camilla make sure their London pad, Clarence House, also looks suitably splendid. 

We got a sneak peek at their red and gold tree, which includes candy canes and mini Santas. 

The royal couple often open up their home to charitable organisations so kids can come and see the festivities. 

This year, the royal Christmas faces being scrapped as ‘rule of six’ stops the Queen from enjoying family lunch at Sandringham.

And these are the royal family Christmas traditions members have to follow.