King Charles’ seriously strict Sandringham timetable – and ‘unspoken rule’ at Christmas

As has been the case since they moved to California, Prince Harry and Meghan and their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, will be absent again.

The King’s strict timetable
The festivities begin on the morning of Christmas Eve, when family members arrive at Sandringham House, the monarch’s private country retreat. But Christmas for the royals isn’t the same relaxed affair that most of us enjoy. Rather, they are on a strict timetable, with multiple outfit changes over three days.

“There’s an unspoken rule for guests: do not arrive late. There is no grace period,” royal author Robert Jobson tells HELLO!. “After completing the odd custom, dating back to Edward VII, of being weighed on antique jockey’s scales, guests are on the clock.