This year marks a special Christmas for Meghan Markle, who is officially a royal. And as she’s probably used to by now, there are some American traditions she is going to have to set aside as she adjusts to becoming a Duchess.
She has already been told she can’t have a baby shower or even custody of her own child. And now, it should come as no surprise to anyone that she is also not allowed to open presents on Christmas morning.
According to the Royal Family’s website:
On Christmas Eve, The Royal Family lay out their presents on trestle tables and will exchange their gifts at teatime.
The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House. The Queen’s country estate in Norfolk. During the sixties, when Her Majesty’s children were small, many Christmases were celebrated at Windsor Castle, where The Royal Family spends Easter. But since 1988, when the castle was being rewired, Royal Christmases returned to Sandringham.
All members of The Royal Household will also receive Christmas presents from The Queen, and on December 25, Her Majesty will personally hand out presents to some members of The Royal Household at Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle.
Last year, while Markle was still Prince Harry’s fiancé, Queen Elizabeth broke protocol by allowing her to join the royal family for Christmas. It was untraditional in the sense that Markle wasn’t officially married into the royal family yet.
Markle also attended Christmas morning service with Harry and his family at St. Mary Magadalene Church. For comparison, Kate Middleton was not invited to spend Christmas with Prince William’s family following the couple’s 2010 engagement.
