Meghan Markle's Christmas in Norfolk
How US TV reported Meghan's first Sandringham Christmas
Many of us will have spent the festivities with friends and family, but for Prince Harry’s fiancée Meghan Markle it was a very new and different experience – she was with her future in-laws, Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip, at Sandringham in Norfolk.
Prince Harry’s fiancée had a Christmas like no other when she stayed at the private Royal estate near King’s Lynn.
According to the BBC, in keeping with the German traditions brought to this country by Prince Albert, the husband of The Queen’s great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, the Royal Family began their festive celebrations on Christmas Eve when they met in the White Drawing Room to exchange presents and decorate the 20 foot-high tree.
Here they enjoyed sandwiches, cakes and scones before retiring to dress for a formal dinner.
On Christmas Day morning the family awoke to a stocking of small gifts and fruit at the end of their beds.
After missing the 2016 Christmas morning service at nearby St Mary Magdalene Church due to a cold, her Majesty was back in 2017 – to delight the well-wishers and Royal fans who were there to welcome her and her future daughter-in-law.
West Norfolk highlights for Meghan to see...
Seaside fun
Enjoy traditional fun at Hunstanton, otherwise known as Sunny Hunny, the only east coast resort that faces west!
Sandringham
The Royal family's rural retreat is open to the public much of the year
King's Lynn's maritime heritage
The port has a history of Hanseatic trading, with many merchants' buildings still open to the public
Castle Rising
Norman castle with one of the largest and best preserved keeps in England, surrounded by 20 acres of earthworks
Best birdwatching in Britain
There are nature reserves along the coast and Wash, such as Snettisham, providing brilliant birdwatching
Great for walking and cycling
Beautiful coast, countryside and Fens all provide the perfect environment for outside activities
Then it was back to the house for a traditional turkey lunch before, like many millions of people in the country, the family settled down to watch the television, perhaps even including The Queen’s annual address on the BBC.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who have a house on the Royal estate, were also at Sandringham on Christmas Day too.
It would have been a very different Christmas for American Miss Markle, who marries Prince Harry on May 19 at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle – but we’re sure she enjoyed her festivities in Norfolk.
