Christmas Day at Sandringham is always a delicious affair. The monarch and his extended family members dine on a feast that's certainly fit for a King, including a Christmas roast with all the trimmings.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady previously revealed the family's menu for the day, which begins with a full cooked breakfast. Then, after church, they sit down for a roast turkey lunch, homemade sage and onion stuffing, Brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts, parsnips and carrots, mashed potatoes and roast potatoes, homemade gravy, and then Christmas pudding with brandy sauce, he told the BBC.
It's set to be the biggest royal gathering in years, and last week, Prince William hinted at just how big the festivities are shaping up to be, telling guests at a party he will be celebrating the big day with around 45 relatives. Meanwhile, the King travelled to Sandringham, where the royals traditionally celebrate the big day, last month to see how his Norfolk home is being prepared for the big day.
It's quite a change in routine for King Charles, who very rarely stops for a midday meal unless a royal engagement or official event requires it. However, since his cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, it's been reported that Charles now eats half an avocado with "some reluctance" to keep his strength up.
The Daily Mail reported that he has broken his lifelong habit of not eating lunch on orders from Queen Camilla, his aides, and his doctors. A source said: “With some reluctance, he now has something to eat at lunchtime - a snack, really. He now eats half an avocado to sustain him through the day. It’s important, particularly if you have got an illness.”
Previously, the monarch was known to prefer a brisk walk to a meal if he was at one of the more rural royal residences, but the addition of half an avocado is in keeping with his light and healthy diet. He typically enjoys a light breakfast of fruit, eggs or muesli – with a helping of linseed, according to Tina Brown’s 2022 book The Palace Papers.
The monarch also prefers organic produce and previously told the BBC that he abstains from meat and fish on two days of the week, also excluding dairy on one of those days.
It's set to be a big Christmas celebration for the royal family with 45 family members expected to join in the celebrations at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The Prince of Wales hinted at a large gathering and, according to a top royal expert, this year's festive occasion will focus on support for the King and the Princess of Wales.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! : "After the year they’ve had, I’m sure it’s going to mean the world to the King and Queen to have as many of their family as possible joining them for Christmas . And, as the number of youngsters increases, so the celebrations become more and more child oriented. Which is exactly what Christmas should be all about."
Jennie's remarks follow Prince William's attendance at a festive gathering in Wiltshire for the families of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, where he serves as colonel-in-chief. During the event, William shared that he and Kate are eagerly anticipating the holiday celebrations and mentioned the huge number of family members joining them at the Sandringham Estate.
"We'll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We'll be 45 for Christmas. It won't be quiet, it will be noisy," he said. In a light-hearted moment, the Prince confessed to not being prepared for the holidays, telling one family, "Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready."
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