Princess Kate is reportedly ready to ditch some of the British royal family’s most eyebrow-raising Christmas traditions once she becomes queen — and insiders say she “can’t wait” to modernize the holidays.
Sources tell RadarOnline.com that the Princess of Wales, 43, plans to end both the German-inspired custom of opening gifts on Christmas Eve and the long-standing royal ritual of weighing family members before and after Christmas dinner. When she and Prince William, also 43, ascend the throne, the couple are expected to put their own stamp on royal celebrations, shifting toward a more relaxed, family-first approach.
The move would mark a clear break from the traditions embraced for decades by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 at age 96.
The Christmas Eve gift exchange dates back to the 19th century, when Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert, introduced it to the royal court. Elizabeth reportedly favored the tradition because she disliked excess and preferred Christmas Day itself to focus on faith and reflection.
Kate, however, is said to view the ritual as outdated. A source close to the Prince and Princess of Wales claims she has never felt comfortable with the rigid Christmas Eve schedule, seeing it as an old-fashioned practice that lacks warmth.
“She can’t wait to move toward a more familiar Christmas morning,” the source said, “especially one that feels magical and relaxed for the children rather than bound by protocol.”
Even more controversial is the tradition of weighing royal guests before and after Christmas lunch — a custom believed to have been introduced by King Edward VII to ensure everyone had eaten well. According to insiders, Kate finds the practice awkward and unkind.
“From Kate’s perspective, it feels old-fashioned, uncomfortable, and a bit cruel,” the source said. “She wants Christmas to be about warmth and togetherness, not rituals that single people out or invite judgment.”
This year, the traditional customs were still observed at Sandringham, where the extended royal family typically gathers for the holidays. But aides say the atmosphere at Anmer Hall — the Wales family’s home on the estate — felt noticeably different.
While formal routines continued at Sandringham, sources say Anmer Hall hosted a much more laid-back celebration, with gifts exchanged on Christmas Day and none of the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Kate’s December schedule highlights how she is already reshaping royal traditions. Earlier in the month, she hosted her annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, an event that has become a staple of the royal festive season since launching in 2021.
On Christmas Day, Kate and William attended the traditional church service at Sandringham with their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — before hosting a more personal family gathering.
Royal insiders say the changes reflect Kate’s determination to modernize not only the monarchy’s public image, but its private traditions as well.
“She wants the festive season to feel genuine and inclusive, not staged,” the source said. “That means ditching Christmas Eve gift rules and abandoning the post-lunch weigh-in — and celebrating the holidays the way most families actually do.”