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Why The Royals All Get Weighed As They Arrive For Christmas

Why The Royals All Get Weighed As They Arrive For Christmas

All of the Queen's guests reportedly have to weigh themselves using a set of antique scales

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Many people will share the opinion that Christmas Day is to be comfy and full... very often we end up too full which leads to being uncomfortable, but there's a fine line.

But what if we had to prove how well fed we'd been by jumping on the scales? Be a bit weird, wouldn't it? Well not for the Royal Family.

That's because the Queen invites all of her guests to weigh themselves on a set of antique scales.

Shoes off, check. Comfy pants on, check. Weigh self, weird but check.

The Royal Family attending a Christmas Day service in Sandringham in 2015.
REUTERS/Alamy Stock Photo

The information dates back to 2018 when royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward told Grazia that all of the guests are asked to 'weigh themselves' as they arrive for the festive celebrations.

This is apparently to ensure that guests are having a great time and make absolutely certain that they're being 'well fed'.

Presumably, if not, Her Majesty chucks over another handful of pigs in blankets?

According to reports, the tradition dates back to the early 1900s when King Edward VII was on the throne.

It is believed that the Royal Family first tuck into a turkey dinner like many of us.

After the roast (with all the trimmings of course) the family will then indulge in an afternoon tea complete with a 'gargantuan iced cake'.

Can anyone else feel the pounds creeping on?

PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

As well as being weighed, it's believed that the guests are expected to 'enter the dining room in order of seniority' which would be irritating if eight-year-old Prince George went strutting ahead.

After being seated 'the head chef carves the turkey' and 'paper hats are donned, but not by the Queen'.

It's got to be said though, these people know what they're doing - especially when it comes to 'making room' for more because they will all have a walk around the grounds of Sandringham estate before enjoying a 'candlelit dinner' in the evening.

This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Most importantly though, the Queen's corgis are spoiled at Christmas too as they will enjoy the freshest local produce.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady said: "Even the corgis - there were 12 when I was chef - have individual menus, usually involving a rotation of fresh rabbit, beef or chicken with rice and cabbage."

Featured Image Credit: Geoffrey Robinson/Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Entertainment, UK, Royal Family