Crackers, paper hats (but not Charles) and what they all wear – experts lift lid on royals’ Christmas Day

THE Royal Family will 'pull crackers and wear hats' at their Christmas lunch - although the King is likely to hold back, according to an expert.

Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, Majesty Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ingrid Seward, said: "They will all pull crackers and wear paper hats.

"Although The Queen never did and I presume Charles probably won’t."

Ingrid joined British photographer Arthur Edwards MBE to speak to Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson on this week's episode of The Sun's Royal Exclusive.

They discussed the schedule and traditions followed by the family on Christmas Day - from what they will wear to how the dinner table seating will be arranged.

Matt revealed: “This week, William attended a Christmas event where he met with some family members of a regiment down on Salisbury Plain.

"He gave out some presents and it was really good fun."

Matt said the Prince went from table to table, bringing 'lots of Christmas joy'.

Although the Prince apparently 'let slip' that: "On Christmas day, there will be 45 family members around the Sandringham Christmas table."

Matt asked the Royal experts if they had any further insights into how the Royals will spend the festive period.

Arthur explained that the festivities will begin early, with the family honouring the Norwegian tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve.

The guests will arrive at Sandringham on Christmas day, where Ingrid said the family will 'wear their smart clothes from church'.

Ingrid also revealed that in previous years, the Queen had avoided chaos amongst so many guests by using an ornate seating plan: "They'd have their names on a beautiful leather board, which would allow you to slide the names in and out."

She expected Camilla, who is a 'great hostess', would know exactly how to do it.

Although, of course, Arthur says: "The King will sit wherever he wants and that will be the head of the table."

Ingrid then confirmed the younger members of the family will join the adults for lunch.

She recalled: "In the Queen’s day, anyone that couldn’t hold a knife and fork (i.e. the children) had to have lunch upstairs in the nursery.

"So there was an age limit, but I think they’ve probably changed that."

After the meal has been finished, members of the family may leave to attend their own personal appointments.

Arthur recalled: "For many years, our Queen Camilla would leave after lunch and visit her family in Wiltshire."

Camilla is not the only person to do so, as Ingrid mentioned: "Diana would also leave after lunch - not always, but sometimes."