King Charles III's former butler has revealed the one Christmas decoration you'll never see in the royal household in the festive period.
- Former butler Grant Harrold has given a rare insight into how the royals decorate at Christmas.
- But there's one popular decoration that is a big no-no when it comes to royal decorating.
- In other royal news, this is the relatable reason Prince William and Princess Kate skipped King Charles' Christmas lunch at Windsor.
Grant Harrold, Grant Harrold – who worked for King Charles between 2004 and 2011 at Highgrove - told The Mirror how tinsel is a no-go for the royal household when it comes to decorating for Christmas.
He said, "Everybody gets the tinsel but if you go to a royal home, it is a lot more greenery, baubles and lights, not tinsel."
He also revealed the sweet gesture that the late Queen Elizabeth used to do for her great-grandchildren which became a tradition when it came to Christmas trees.
He recalled, "I heard that at Sandringham, the Queen used to arrange for one of the trees in one of the rooms to be left bare for the kids to decorate it. It was a tradition that she started, and the grandkids would come in and they would all do a bit of decorating, which I thought was always quite a nice idea."
This year, the royal family is preparing for their first Christmas without Queen Elizabeth, and Kate Middleton has paid tribute to Her Majesty in a new pre-recorded video for her Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess of Wales said, "Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.
"This year, we’ve invited hundreds of inspiring individuals to the service. Those who showcase the power of connectedness and community values, allowing us to continue Her Majesty's tradition of recognizing and thanking those who have gone above and beyond to support others."
And touching on the fact that this Christmas will be the first without Queen Elizabeth, the Princess of Wales added, "Her Majesty leaves with us an incredible legacy and one that has deeply inspired many of us.
"So, whilst Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared. Take time to slow down and celebrate with family and friends all the wonderful things that make Christmas so special."
Another royal tradition that has changed this year is the annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, which the Queen always hosted.
This year, King Charles hosted the annual lunch at Windsor Castle instead. And fans have been able to get a glimpse of his and Queen Camilla's festive decorations, which feature a traditional theme.
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