If you thought your family Christmas was bad, spare a thought for diners at Sandringham Palace. The royal family have a host of traditions around the holiday season. But there’s one that is so bizarre it’s apparently getting scrapped by Kate Middleton – even if Queen Elizabeth embraced it.
A source called the tradition “a bit cruel”
Imagine the scene: you’ve just enjoyed multiple plates of Christmas dinner at the royal palace (and you know they put on a good spread). You’re ready to settle in for a nap, when there’s a sudden cry of “bring out the scales!”
Okay, it probably doesn’t play out quite like that. But the royal family does have a strange tradition of weighing one another at Christmas. The custom involves weighing guests before and after their festive meal, with the idea apparently being to make sure they’ve eaten plenty.
The tradition is believed to have been started by Edward VII, and was apparently continued by Queen Elizabeth II. Thankfully, Kate isn’t about that custom. Sources say she plans to end it for good. An insider told Radar Online: “From Kate’s perspective, the tradition feels old-fashioned, awkward and a bit cruel. She wants Christmas to center on warmth, ease and shared time together, rather than rituals that single people out or invite judgment.”
It’s not the only Christmas tradition Kate is allegedly planning to bin. The royal family also usually open presents on Christmas Eve – a tradition they’ve kept since the 19th century. But the Princess is said to find the whole thing a bit too formal. The source added: “Kate has never been comfortable with the rigidity of opening presents on Christmas Eve, seeing it as a rather bizarre old-fashioned ritual that lacks warmth. She can’t wait to move toward a more familiar Christmas morning, particularly one that feels magical and relaxed for the children rather than bound by protocol.”
Kate isn’t the only one with plans to shake things up a bit when she ascends the throne. Prince William has previously spoken about his desire to change the royal family.
TELL US – DOES A LESS DESIRABLE CHRISTMAS TRADITION EXIST?
