Uh oh.
When it comes to Christmas gifts, there are a few big – and long-standing – traditions that the royal family follow.
Every year, they exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve; always at 6pm and in the red drawing room at Sandringham.
Throughout the afternoon, the family members creep downstairs to secretly place their holiday gifts in the room (everyone has their own specific section where their gifts should be).
And, every year, the family members follow a sort of a “cheap and cheerful” motto when it comes to gifts: nothing should be lavish, but rather a “joke gift” instead.
Like, Kate once gave Harry a grow-your-own-girlfriend kit (pre-Meghan), and Princess Anne gifted Prince Charles a white leather toilet seat – although, he liked that one so much he reportedly brings it on royal tours now.
According to The Mirror, Princess Diana wasn’t aware of this rule during her first festive season as a newlywed in 1981.
She is said to have given Princess Anne a cashmere sweater (totally lovely gift idea, although not quite fitting with the normal royal family gifting rules), and gotten a loo roll holder in return.
However, the publication report that all was well again the next year – she gifted Fergie a leopard-print bath mat.
It seems like Meghan adapted to the rule pretty well last Christmas, reportedly buying the Queen something that she probably doesn’t have too much of – a singing toy hamster.
A source told The Daily Star that the Queen went absolutely mad for the gift.
They said:
“Meghan bought a little hamster that sings with a little rope for Her Majesty.
“It was so funny, especially when the corgis tried to take hold of the toy.
“She laughed and said ‘they can keep my dogs company!’”
