This is Windsor Castle, the original venue for the royal family Christmas until 1998 when the celebrations were moved to Sandringham while it was being re-wired. Every year a Christmas tree is installed outside Windsor Castle ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on and lantern procession. 

Windsor Castle is decked out for the occasion with opulent decorations for the big day. A towering Christmas tree is erected in St George's Hall, which was the location of Meghan and Harry's wedding reception. 

The 20-foot tall Nordmann fir tree is usually put up at the end of November and is decorated with fun royal-themed velvet baubles, including this mini crown. 

Usually empty over the Christmas period, in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the Queen and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh spent the festive season at the castle for the first time in 33 years. 

As Windsor Castle is open to the public near Christmas, with this year being no different, many of the rooms are decorated. This 15-foot Christmas tree sits in the Crimson Drawing Room and has been decorated in red to match the decor.

Buckingham Palace has got lots of festive spirit over the Christmas period and is in fact, where the Queen delivers her annual speech. Usually recorded in the White Drawing Room in advance, the Christmas tradition reflects on highlights from the year and is broadcast on Christmas Day. Her majesty often sits at her desk surrounded by pictures of her family. 

At the beginning of December, it's time for the decorations to start arriving at Buckingham Palace. Each year, three trees are placed in the grand Marble Hall. Grown in Windsor, the trees are fixed in place by a specialist team and then decorated with festive baubles. 

The Windsors like to keep it classic when decorating the 15-foot trees. Towering tall, they twinkle with hundreds of lights and regal decorations including mini velvet crowns and state carriages, similar to those in Windsor Castle. While the trees are decorated by a dedicated team, members of the royal family will add the final bits and bobs. 

In 2018 a traditional garland was strung over the Grand Staircase. Buckingham Palace is where the Queen usually hosts her annual pre-Christmas lunch before everyone heads to Sandringham for Christmas Day, so it's important the palace looks the part. 

Of course, the royals can't forget Kensington Palace, which is home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children. This 30-foot tree was installed in December 2018 and was decked out with huge gold baubles and hundreds of lights. 

Staff at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, also get busy decorating in time for Christmas. The festive decorations at the palace include a 15-foot Christmas tree in the Great Gallery which is adorned with shimmering decorations and sparkling lights. 

With last year being an exception, the royal residence of Sandringham is usually host to the family's celebrations. The whole clan heads up for Christmas Eve to begin the celebrations, which last until the New Year. This Grade-II listed country house in Norfolk sits on a massive 20,000-acre estate that lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Norfolk coast.

The rest of the royal family arrives at Sandringham on Christmas Eve. Each family unit is given a specific time to arrive in ascending order of status. For example, junior members will make the first appearances and the most senior members, such as Prince Charles, will be the last to arrive.

This year will be the third Christmas for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, and the first for their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who was born 4th June 2021. According to reports, Harry and Megha might head across the pond for the festive season to introduce their new daughter to the family. 

And let’s not forget Meghan's own holiday traditions: as an American, she has always celebrated Thanksgiving. This year it is thought that the family of four will spend the holiday at their Californian mansion. 

After the fun and games are complete and the kids are tucked in bed for Santa’s visit, Sandringham hosts a black-tie dinner. Gowns, glittering jewellery and twinkling tiaras are encouraged, and so is a little alcohol! The Queen starts things off with an exotic-sounding Zaza, while Prince Charles spices it up with a Christmassy cherry brandy. William and Harry, on the other hand, are known to enjoy an exclusive cider made with apples grown on the estate.

After the church service, the family are seated for their Christmas lunch at 1pm. The adults all settle down to a traditional meal of turkey in the dining room, which is also home to a 30-year-old silver artificial tree. This picture from the former royal chef Darren McGrady shows that tinsel and crackers are very much on the menu! The table itself is small and intimate, so the children are required to have their meal in the nursery until they are old enough to join the adults.

The family-oriented fun and games don’t stop there either: they stay up well past midnight playing charades and royal protocol insists that no one must retire to bed until the Queen does.

This year may be a little different for the Royal family as the Queen prepares to spend the first Christmas without her late husband. However, it seems as if the Queen will be surrounded by family, welcoming the return of festive traditions. 

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