Former rugby star Mike Tindall has offered a rare insight into the festive traditions of the Royal Family, explaining why young Prince Louis will not be seated with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, during the Christmas celebrations.
The Sandringham Seating Plan
As the son-in-law of Princess Anne, Mike Tindall is a regular guest at the royal Christmas gathering, which is typically held at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. This year's event is expected to be particularly large, with around 45 guests, including Queen Camilla's children and grandchildren, in attendance.
Tindall revealed that the festive feast involves a complex seating arrangement. During a pre-Christmas lunch held at Buckingham Palace on December 19, there were seven different tables to accommodate the extensive guest list of approximately 70 people.
A Long-Standing Nursery Tradition
When questioned about the seating on his podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, Tindall clarified that the younger royals dine separately. "The kiddies have their own little one in a different room," he stated.
This practice was confirmed by former royal chef Darren McGrady, who told the BBC that it is a long-standing tradition. Children in the Royal Family eat in the nursery until they are deemed old enough to conduct themselves properly at the main dining table.
McGrady likened the custom to a "modern-day Downton Abbey," explaining it prevents scenarios with high chairs and food throwing, maintaining a more formal, Victorian-style atmosphere for the adult gathering.
The Wales Family's Christmas Plans
In a surprise move this year, the Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend the Buckingham Palace pre-Christmas lunch with their children. Instead, the family travelled early to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, to begin their holiday break.
A Kensington Palace source stated that "the decision not to attend the lunch was made some time ago." The traditional royal Christmas still involves the famous humorous gift exchange on Christmas Eve and a walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning, followed by a classic roast turkey dinner at Sandringham.
