Grant Harrold, who spent more than seven years in service to King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, shares a sensible approach to decorating a royal home for Christmas. He notes that the aim is to keep things elegant and restrained, choosing minimal tinsel in favour of more natural, seasonal elements. Harrold explains that the royal residences lean toward refined decor, where greenery, garlands, and warm lights create a festive atmosphere without the need for heavy metallic accents. His recollections come from a career spent observing the season’s mood within royal settings, where restraint often speaks louder than sparkle.
“Don’t go overboard with tinsel. Everyone has tinsel, but when you step into the royal house, you’ll notice a greater emphasis on greenery, garlands, and softly glowing lights rather than piles of tinsel,” the former royal butler remarks. He emphasizes that taste and balance matter more than quantity, and that the royal approach favors textures and natural colour palettes that evoke winter gardens rather than carnival displays.
Harrold also recalls the late Queen Elizabeth II and her enduring Christmas traditions. He describes a practice that was cherished by the family, a blend of formality and playful participation that made the holiday feel intimate despite the grand surroundings. Elizabeth’s holiday period was marked by a sense of ritual, understood by grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike, who grew up watching and taking part in the season’s small, meaningful customs.
“I heard in Sandringham that the queen arranged for one of the trees in a particular room to be left bare while the children were invited to decorate it themselves. It was a thoughtful tradition she started, giving the younger generation a chance to contribute. The grandchildren would gather around, make a few thoughtful additions, and the result was a Christmas centerpiece that carried personal memories and shared joy,” Harrold recounts. That simple act, he notes, helped frame Christmas as a collaborative celebration rather than a display of wealth, and it became a fond memory within the family lore.
This year marks the royal family’s first Christmas without Elizabeth II, a moment many describe as bittersweet. Harrold contemplates the atmosphere as the household gathers to observe the season in a post-era of mourning. He anticipates mixed emotions, acknowledging that tears may be shed as the family honours the queen’s legacy while moving forward with the traditions she helped shape. The absence of the late monarch will, he suggests, be felt not only in the absence of her presence but also in the quiet ways the royal ritual adapts to a new chapter—one that remains rooted in continuity, ceremony, and familial warmth.
Formerly, sources have noted discussions around Prince William’s Christmas gifting traditions to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and the evolving symbolism of royal presents. Harrold’s reflections on decor and ritual complement the broader picture of how the modern royal family blends timeless customs with contemporary sensitivities, ensuring that the season remains a moment of shared memory and grace within the household.