Inside the opulent room in Sandringham House where the royals relax and watch King Charles’ Christmas Day speech
WITH Christmas Day finally here, now we take a look inside the opulent room in Sandringham House where the royals will relax and watch King Charles’ speech later this afternoon.
His Majesty‘s pre-recorded speech will air today on BBC, ITV and Sky News from 3pm and will last for around 10 minutes.
Like many of us around the country, the royal family will also gather and watch the speech together and of course, will stand for the National Anthem.
It comes as royal author Robert Jobson revealed all to OK! on how the royals will be spending their special day today.
And it appears that whilst the royals will have an action-packed schedule, little has changed since the late Queen Elizabeth’s time as host.
At the time of Elizabeth II’s reign, there was a strictly adhered-to 72-hour festive timetable handed out by the Master of the Household.
Guests would receive detailed instructions on when they should wake up, gather for drinks, eat meals and even go to bed.
Robert Jobson told OK!: “The schedule still exists and it’s really quite exhausting.
“One minute you’re doing one thing, then you have to change for drinks, then get changed again for dinner.”
Whilst the royals will have exchanged their Christmas gifts yesterday, as is tradition in the royal household, Christmas Day involves many elements, including the famous walk to church – the only part of the royals’ festivities which are not private.
After their church walk, the royals will then have a glass or two of bubbly, Veuve Clicquot Champagne of course, and then Christmas dinner, served at precisely 1pm.
Once the dinner is over and the novelty crackers have been pulled, the family then move to the stunning saloon for another key element of proceedings.
The saloon is an opulent room, which is also often where they enjoy afternoon tea together on Christmas Eve.
And today, it is in this very grand room that the King, his family and many grandchildren will sit down together to watch the monarch’s speech to the nation.
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as King had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia
Whilst Charles and Camilla won’t be joined by the Duke of York at Sandringham for the usual celebrations, for the others present, Robert added: “They retire there to watch the King’s pre-recorded Christmas message at 3pm, all standing for the National Anthem.”
The vast, double-height room is complete with Minstrel’s gallery, wood panelling and chandeliers.
The schedule still exists and it’s really quite exhausting
Robert Jobson
The saloon is furnished with a wooden dining table, cream sofas and a piano, topped with photos.
It is where the gathered royals spend the rest of the afternoon, watching TV and playing games.
The impressive saloon of this nineteenth century house, is located at the entrance to the house and spans two floors.
It has always traditionally been the room in which the royals would meet and relax together.
Once the family have enjoyed some down time, played a few games and watched the speech, they may also head out for a brisk winter walk, but only if the weather allows.