The royal family has had Christmas traditions in place for many years. Queen Victoria, the great-great grandmother of the reigning Queen Elizabeth, loved Christmas and called it a “most dear happy time”. At that time (1800s), her family celebrated with “decorated trees, the sending of cards, a lavish celebratory meal, and gifts to the poor”

A lot has changed since Victorian times, but a number of the royal Christmas traditions remain the same. Here’s a rundown of what Queen Elizabeth and her family will likely be doing this year:

The family will spend Christmas at Sandringham, in Norfolk. The 20ft Christmas tree is one that is cut from the estate and decorated by the Queen. On Christmas Eve, name cards on white-linen-covered trestle tables indicate where they are to place each other’s presents. The grand opening of presents takes place early in the evening . The royal family gather around the Christmas tree will enjoy tea and cakes awaiting the Queen’s signal to start unwrapping their presents

After they have opened their presents, the Royals retire to dress for dinner – reconvening for cocktails in the Saloon. All the adults drink gin and tonic – except the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, who enjoy dry martinis

Dinner is eaten by candlelight, and is served at 8.30pm. It is a black-tie affair (dressed in their best clothes), for which the finest china and silverware is laid out on the dining table decorated with Christmas flowers from the Sandringham nurseries.

What do the Royal family eat for their Christmas Eve dinner?

Norfolk shrimps, lamb or locally-shot game may be followed by tart tartan (a caramelized apple tart served upside down) with brandy creme or a souffle. White wine is served with the hors d’oeuvre claret with the main course and champagne with the dessert.

On Christmas Day, the family will wake up to stockings at the foot of their beds, and will have an English breakfast before heading off to Christmas morning service at the estate’s St. Mary Magdalene church. Christmas lunch, which traditionally includes a giant turkey from the estate, will be served at 1 p.m.

After lunch, they will have fun with Christmas crackers and jokes. At 3 p.m., they will watch the Queen’s Christmas Day speech broadcast to the nation.