Prince George Broke Three Royal Traditions This Christmas

For the Royal Family the festive period has a very strict routine that is followed every year, and by every one.

However, this Christmas quite a few traditional royal rules were broken – and the little ones were the culprits (can we blame them?)

From the present giving, to the festive decorations and church service, here are the three traditions Prince George, and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis broke this Yuletide – but we love them for it.

Christmas Day church service

Every year the entire royal family join Queen Elizabeth for the 45 minute church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.

However, this year three little ones were not present for the ceremony, and fans have been desperate to know why Prince George, his sister Princess Charlotte and youngest sibling Prince Louis were not at the Christmas Day church service, which they are believed to have previously attended.

Just two years ago George, five, and Charlotte, three, attended the church service in Englefiend when they spent December 25 with Kate Middleton’s family.

But this year the duo, and the new addition to their family, missed out on the occasion because they are deemed to be too young to fulfil the duty.

However, Prince William was the same age as his son George when he first attended the Sandringham Christmas church service, although Prince Harry was seven when he started the festive tradition.

Presents

It is known the royals exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, which is a German tradition. However, it appears Kate and William’s brood did not follow the royal protocol and opened their presents on December 25 instead.

Derren McGrady – who is a former royal chef – previously told Good Housekeeping about the ritual. He said at the time: ‘The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition.’

But when the Duke and duchess of Cambridge were asked exactly what time the children woke up, they hinted their children were up early to open their gifts. Speaking to a fan on Christmas Day, which has been shared on Instagram, Kate Middleton said: ‘Very early, but it was lovely to see their faces.’

Christmas decorations

The same question arises every year ‘When do we put the Christmas tree up?’ While some wait for December 1 to hit before they erect their fir, others will hold off for a few weeks and put up their festive decorations 12 days before December 25, and take them down 12 days after on January 6.

While there is no set date to start decorating the home with tinsel and all the works, any earlier than December is taboo and deemed untraditional – except for the Cambridge’s.

The youngsters in the Cambridge family were so excited for the big day they were already preparing for it in November, Elle.com reported.

When asked how the children were feeling about Christmas one month ahead of December 25, Kate said: ‘They’re doing well, thank you. They’re getting excited for Christmas time, because they’ve started all their Christmas songs and the Christmas trees are going up.’

While the Queen erects two Christmas trees, Kate Middleton’s mother, Carole, has revealed she has broken tradition for the sake of her grandchildren as she put up three trees so each child had one to decorate.

The 63 year old explained to The Telegraph: ‘So that they can decorate it themselves.'