23 December 2023 , 23:00
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While good and merriment won't be in any short supply at Sandringham Palace this Christmas, there's one overindulgence Kate won't be allowing herself.
The Princess of Wales and other senior royals are partial to an odd tipple during the festivities. But getting drunk is a big no-no, experts claim.
The family are known to partake in several sweet Christmas traditions and celebrate each year at the Norfolk estate. Each year, the royals sit down to an elegant feast with all the trimmings after their routine trip to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in the morning.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will host this year in what's said to be a large gathering which is said to include the addition of Camilla's children. But although a private family gathering, Kate, William and Charles' siblings will still have to be careful on the booze.
Former royal butler to Charles Grant Harold claims he has "hand on heart never seen a member of the royal family drunk". Palace staff, however, play by very different rules, he says.
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All the royals are said to enjoy a tipple at Christmas - but they're all very disciplined apparently (REX/Shutterstock)Now a specialist in royal etiquette, Mr Harold - who worked for Charles as Prince of Wales between 2004 and 2011 - said royal Christmas parties were "hysterical good fun". Amongst the drinks flowing would be Laurent-Perrier and other Royal Warrant-branded booze, he said.
Speaking to HELLO! magazine, he said: "They always offered the white wines traditionally with the starter, then the red wines," adding a "dessert wine or a rose or pink champagne" is usually enjoyed after the main course. As for Kate, the princess is said to be a fan of a gin and tonic, with William reported to bring her one after a long day, and is known to be partial to the odd pint of Guinness.
Former royal chef Darren Mcgrady previously quelled rumours that the late Queen drank four cocktails a day were in fact false, telling CNN "she’d be pickled if she drank that much". "All I said was she likes a gin and Dubonnet. That’s her favourite drink," he said. The Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, was famously partial to the cocktail preferring the classic served on the rocks.