In 2017, newly engaged Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the Royal Family, marking a significant step into royal life.
Instead of staying at Sandringham, which had spacious rooms, she and Prince Harry accepted an invitation from Prince William and Princess Catherine to stay at their newly renovated country residence, Anmer Hall.
There they joined in traditional Christmas celebrations, which royal biographer Andrew Morton describes as surprisingly relaxed.
In his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, the author writes: “Although it was fresh and exciting for Meghan, Christmas at Sandringham has a calming and regular rhythm, like one of the many grandfather clocks that dominate the halls.”
In fact, the Duchess recalled her ‘incredible’ first Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family in her 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan.
“I remember the first Christmas at Sandringham very vividly,” Meghan recalled. “I called my mom and she was like, ‘How are you doing?’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s amazing.’
“It’s like a big family like I always wanted,” he added. “And there was just this constant movement and energy and fun.”
She then detailed how at dinner she was sitting next to Prince Philip, ‘H’s grandfather’.
In 2017, newly engaged Meghan Markle spent her first Christmas with the Royal Family, marking a significant step into royal life.
Meghan explained: ‘And I thought it was wonderful. And I was like, “Oh, we chatted and it was great.” And I talked about this, and I talked about this.
“He (Harry) said to me: ‘You had bad hearing. I couldn’t hear anything you were saying.” I thought, “Oh. “Well, I thought it turned out really well.”
Unlike other women who married into the Royal Family, Meghan was invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham five months before her wedding to Harry.
This unprecedented decision was seen as a very personal gesture by Queen Elizabeth, signaling her warm welcome to the former actress.
The festivities began at 4pm on Christmas Eve in Sandringham’s wood-paneled drawing room, where the family gathered for afternoon tea, a meal much loved by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The spread included a variety of delicate sandwiches, scones, muffins and cakes, accompanied by Earl Gray and the Queen’s favorite Indian tea blend.
At 6pm, the family gathered again in the elegant white drawing room to exchange gifts, continuing a beloved royal tradition.
The gifts were displayed on cloth-covered tables, each stack marked with a name card.
Prince Harry and Meghan were seen leaving Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth’s annual royal Christmas lunch.
Meghan smiled as she was photographed in the car leaving the family lunch.
Instead of staying at Sandringham, which had spacious rooms, Meghan and Harry accepted an invitation from William and Catherine to stay at their newly renovated country residence, Anmer Hall.
The exchange of gifts, as Mr. Morton describes it, could become quite lively. “Princess Margaret’s ex-husband, Lord Snowdon, once described the scene as ‘complete uproar’ as everyone opened their presents,” it says.
Instead of opting for lavish gifts, the Royal Family has been known to select extravagant, fun, and often unusual gifts for each other.
Harry has a history of offering the most entertaining surprises, and other family members join in the playful spirit.
“One year, Harry gave the Queen a shower cap with the phrase, ‘Isn’t Life a Bitch,’ printed on it,” Morton reveals.
‘Another year he was gifted a Big Mouth singer by Billy Vass, who takes pride of place on the piano in his Balmoral studio.
‘In her time, Diana was given a pair of false breasts, while Princess Anne received a monogrammed doormat.
“One report suggested Meghan got into a quirky spirit and gifted the Queen a singing hamster, which the corgis apparently looked at sadly.”
After this laughter-filled exchange, the family retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening’s formal dinner.
Harry and Meghan joined the Royal Family on the usual walk to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
Dressed in a beige Sentaler double-breasted coat, Stuart Weitzman boots, and a custom Philip Treacy beret, Meghan exuded sophistication.
Kate and Meghan bowed to Queen Elizabeth upon arrival at the church
Meghan joined the Royal Family at Sandringham for the first time in 2017
The event adhered to a gala dress code, with elegant dresses taking center stage.
At 8 pm sharp, the family gathered for pre-dinner drinks, and Queen Elizabeth made her entrance fifteen minutes later, ready to enjoy her signature dry martini.
But not everyone was entirely satisfied with the formalities. Sarah Ferguson reportedly expressed frustration over the numerous outfit changes required during the event.
According to Mr Morton: “The Duchess of York once recalled: “Christmas can be exhausting, not least because sometimes you change seven times in twenty-four hours. “You never let the Queen beat you at dinner, end of story, what’s to come.” In any case afterwards it would be unimaginably disrespectful.”
The banquet that followed was a feast of local delicacies, with Norfolk prawns, Sandringham estate lamb and tarte Tatin.
To add a festive touch, the royals brought out cookies filled with silver or gold crowns, bringing a sense of shared joy to the occasion.
“Like everyone except the Queen, Meghan crowned herself with the paper hat,” Mr Morton writes.
After the service, the family returned to Sandringham for lunch and gathered to watch the Queen’s annual Christmas broadcast, a tradition that capped their celebrations.
Christmas morning began with Meghan and Harry sharing breakfast with William and Kate at Anmer Hall, while George and Charlotte unwrapped their presents.
Meghan later joined the royals on the customary walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Dressed in a beige Sentaler coat, Stuart Weitzman boots, and a custom Philip Treacy beret, the Duchess radiated sophistication as she walked alongside William and Kate, smiling and waving to the crowds gathered along the way.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth, for the first time, arrived by car, accompanied by Camilla.
After the service, the family returned to Sandringham for lunch and gathered to watch the Queen’s annual Christmas broadcast, a tradition that capped their celebrations.
In his speech, he referenced the “new members” of the family, a sentiment widely interpreted as a nod to Meghan.