You won’t believe the royal family’s terrifying Christmas lunch tradition

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Coronavirus has changed life as we know it, with people across the world having to adapt their plans for, well… the past two years.

Yes, COVID-19 affected everyone's Christmas plans in 2020, and this year the emergence of the Omicron variant is at it again, with Queen Elizabeth cancelling her Christmas lunch plans already.

It will come as sad news to the royals, with the Windsors known for their big family Christmases at Sandringham, including traditions from a walk to church with all the extended relatives to joke Christmas present exchanges.

One of their royal Christmas traditions is a particular talking point because of its eccentricity - the annual Christmas weigh-in.

The tradition sees the royal family guests weighed before and after their Christmas lunch on antique scales to ensure that they have been fed enough on turkey, shrimp and lobster.

Yes, really!

There is no word yet on exactly how the royal family will be celebrating, but it will already be a few key people short with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle staying in the US for the festivities.

It’s too early to tell how the other plans will be affected just yet, but we hope the royals have a very happy Christmas, whatever their plans.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.