Mike Tindall reveals rare details of royal Christmas lunch tradition

The Royal Family’s Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch is one of the most private festive traditions, and it plays a crucial role in bringing the extended family together ahead of the big day.

Held annually before Christmas, the Palace lunch allows relatives who may not attend Christmas Day celebrations at Sandringham to exchange festive wishes and spend time together before the New Year.

Unlike the more public Christmas Day walk to church in Norfolk, the Buckingham Palace gathering takes place entirely behind closed doors, with very few details ever shared publicly.

One of the only people to shed light on what happens during the secretive lunch is Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Tindall.

Speaking on a podcast in 2019, the former England rugby star offered a rare glimpse into the scale and structure of the royal gathering.

He revealed that the lunch is far larger than many people might expect. Mike said: “The family lunch there must be about 70 of us, there are seven tables and the kiddies have their own little one in a different room.”

The comment highlights just how extensive the wider Royal Family is, and how carefully the event is organised.

Mike also confirmed that seating arrangements follow royal protocol, with guests placed according to rank and seniority.

He added: “I was on [then] Prince Charles’ table. It was lovely, really good.”

The insight suggests that while the lunch is formal in structure, it is also warm and sociable, offering royals a chance to relax together away from public scrutiny.

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