McGrady, who served the royals for seven yuletides, notes that their holiday meals are steeped in tradition and include the same dishes each year.

According to McGrady, the royal family's Christmas day begins with separate breakfasts for the men and women; the men indulge in a hearty full English breakfast, while the women opt for a lighter meal of fruit, grapefruit, toast, and coffee in their rooms.

After church, they gather for a lunch of turkey, accompanied by mashed and roast potatoes, stuffing, and assorted vegetables, with a cranberry sauce and bread sauce. Drinks typically feature a gin and dubonnet cocktail and Gewurztraminer wine.

The festive lunch concludes with a showy Christmas pudding presentation. The rest of the day includes a walk on the Sandringham Estate and tuning in to the monarch's Christmas speech, which will be delivered by King Charles for the first time this year.

Christmas Eve traditions involve a fish course and venison main dish from the estate, while favorites like tarte tatin and chocolate perfection pie, especially adored by Queen Elizabeth, make up dessert. This reveals the royal household's preference for consistency and tradition during the holiday season.