How Prince William and Kate Middleton Decorate Kensington Palace for Christmas

Caroline Hallemann
Updated
Photo credit: Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images
Photo credit: Mark Cuthbert - Getty Images

From Town & Country

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, the British royal family is of the "go big or go home" mindset.

Case in point: over the weekend, the Historic Royal Palaces Twitter account posted a video of an enormous 30-foot Christmas tree being installed on the grounds of Kensington Palace.

The lights and decorations will undoubtedly be enjoyed by residents Prince William, Duchess Kate, and their three children, George, Charlotte, and little Louis, but they will also hold special significance for Harry and Meghan, as it is their last Christmas in Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of the Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to move to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor after renovations on the home are completed next year.

The tree at Kensington Palace is hardly the royal family's only holiday decoration this year. A video from last week on the official Royal Family Instagram account shows Christmas trees arriving at Buckingham Palace. "Every year, three trees are placed in the Marble Hall - and a garland is fixed along the grand staircase," reads the caption. It also goes on to explain that the tradition of the Christmas tree was popularized in England by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the 19th century.

Watch The Christmas Trees arrive at Buckingham Palace 🎄 Every year, three trees are placed in the Marble Hall - and a garland is fixed along the grand staircase. The custom of displaying Christmas trees was introduced to Britain in the late 18th by Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III, although it was a yew tree rather than a fir that was used. The Christmas tree was popularised by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the nineteenth century. The Christmas Trees standing today at Buckingham Palace were grown in Windsor. Find out more about The Royal Family at Christmas on www.royal.uk

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Dec 4, 2018 at 2:02am PST

Other trees have reportedly gone up at the Queen's other residences in Windsor and at Hollyroodhouse in Scotland.

Staff at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Queen’s official residence in Scotland, have been busy decorating it for Christmas. 💫 The Christmas tree in the Throne Room stands out against the newly-installed painting of Charles II and the Grand Staircase is looking festive with a garland and lights. 🎄✨ 📸 from @royalcollectiontrust

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Dec 7, 2018 at 8:35am PST

As for Sandringham, where the royals traditionally spends Christmas day, the Queen's former chef once revealed that the family typically has two trees: one real, and one artificial, though no photos have been shared of those yet this year. By the sounds of it, the Queen's residences are more than filled with holiday cheer.

As the Queen shared in in the documentary The Queen's Green Planet, her great-grandchildren like to cause a little chaos around the holidays.

"The children love knocking those [decorations] off," she told Sir David Attenborough. "Well my great-grandchildren do, anyway they enjoy themselves."

('You Might Also Like',)