Princess Diana reportedly made an awkward blunder at her first Christmas as a royal

Olivia Morris
·Contributor
During her first Christmas as a royal, Princess Diana made a rather awkward blunder. Source: Getty
During her first Christmas as a royal, Princess Diana made a rather awkward blunder. Source: Getty

When it comes to traditional and protocol, the Royal Family are sticklers for it – even during the festive season.

Without fail, the royals gather every year at Sandringham House to celebrate Christmas, with gifts being exchanged on Christmas Eve at 6pm on the dot in the red drawing room.

While many would assume members of the royal family would go all out for presents, it’s actually entirely the opposite – they are only supposed to give each other joke gifts.

Notable presents include Prince Harry gifting the Queen an ‘ain’t life a bitch’ bath hat, and Kate Middleton gifting Harry a ‘grow-your-own girlfriend’ kit (of course, this was in the pre-Meghan Markle era).

However, for her first Christmas as a royal in 1981, Princess Diana was not aware of this tradition gifting her then sister-in-law Princess Anne a cashmere sweater, according to The Mirror.

What she got in return wasn’t so nice – a loo-roll holder. Lovely.

When it comes to tradition, the royal family are sticklers for it – even at Christmas. Source: Getty
When it comes to tradition, the royal family are sticklers for it – even at Christmas. Source: Getty

Diana learnt from her blunder though, gifting sister-in-law Fergie a gorgeous leopard-print bath mat at a future Christmas.

While clearly the presents are meant to be a joke, Prince Charles once received a white leather toilet seat from his sister Anne and loved it.

This year marks Meghan Markle’s first Christmas as an official royal, although she attended the family festivities last year too, and luckily was made aware of the joke present tradition.

Last year, Meghan Markle spent Christmas with the royal family but this year will be her first festive season as an <em>official</em> member of the family. Source: Getty
Last year, Meghan Markle spent Christmas with the royal family but this year will be her first festive season as an official member of the family. Source: Getty

The Duchess of Sussex reportedly gifted Her Majesty a singing hamster.

“Meghan bought a little hamster that sings with a little rope for Her Majesty,” a royal insider told the Daily Star.

“It was so funny, especially when the corgis tried to take hold of the toy.”

We hope we’ll hear about some more fabulous presents from the royal this year – maybe Charles could get another leather coloured toilet seat.


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