The Royal Family enjoys plenty of Christmas traditions that date back decades—or in some cases hundreds of years—and one of them is that they open their presents on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning. However, some royals don't follow this particular rule, and three of them are Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Princess Louis.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, tells Marie Claire that King Charles and family open their gifts "during the afternoon tea" on Christmas Eve, "which shocks a lot of people." He continues that "the tradition of having Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve goes back to the German side of the family."
Indeed, it was Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, who brought this tradition across the pond, and like many things royal, it just stuck. However, it's been reported that Princess Kate isn't the biggest fan of tearing into gifts the night before Christmas.
According to the Daily Beast, a friend of William and Kate's told the outlet that "Kate has always found the presents on Christmas Eve thing weird. It is definitely going to be got rid of when they are officially running things." However, it seems that the whole gift-opening tradition is already somewhat loose.
Harrold tells Marie Claire that when he worked for the royals, "Santa would still come for the children that night, but for the adults that was their chance to exchange their Christmas presents to each other." This explains why the Princess of Wales told some fans on Christmas Day 2018 that her kids were "up very early" opening their presents.
A source also told the Daily Beast that this year "William and Kate will save their own and their children‘s gifts for Christmas Day at home," and that "you can bet your bottom dollar they will be doing proper presents for each other and the kids there on Christmas Day."
As for what might be under the Christmas tree at Anmer Hall, royal commentator Jennie Bond told OK! magazine, "I'd imagine there will be some flying lessons on the cards for George, maybe something to do with Taylor Swift for Charlotte, and anything adventurous for little Louis—he's probably at an age when he will be wanting things like a skateboard."
