Palace staff push back against the future king’s plan to modernise holiday celebrations
Reports suggest William has stirred debate with his intention to move away from certain royal Christmas customs once he becomes King.
According to Radar Online, the Prince of Wales is set to end a long-standing tradition in which small joke gifts are handed out in order of seniority. Some palace staff see the change as overly serious and unnecessary.
A longtime aide said the practice has always been a harmless bit of fun and a fond reminder of the late Queen. Another source described William as being too gloomy about something that brings lightness to the holiday.
Insiders say William wants to steer royal Christmas gatherings toward a quieter and more relaxed tone at Anmer Hall. They add that the joke-gift ritual is one of several outdated customs he has never warmed to and is likely to drop when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas.
While William understands the tradition carries nostalgia for his father and serves as a way to honour the Queen’s memory, he has reportedly remarked in the past that it is not how he prefers to do things at home.
