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Why Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis get to open Christmas presents a day early

Christmas Eve is a special day for the royal family

wales children xmas eve
Danielle Stacey
Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
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King Charles will lead the royals on the walk to the church service on Christmas Day, but festivities for the family actually start much sooner.

Christmas Eve is a special occasion for the royal family, and no doubt the younger members, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales's three children will be very excited.

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will get to open some of their presents on 24 December, as the royals traditionally exchange gifts on that day.

It's all to do with the King's ancestry, which is of German descent. Christmas celebrations start on 24 December in Germany when presents are exchanged. It's also usually the day when the Christmas tree gets decorated.

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Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at Christmas concert 2022© Photo: Getty Images

The royals exchange gifts on Christmas Eve

Known as Heiligabend Bescherung - which translates as Christmas Eve exchanging presents - the tradition was popularised by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

As well as hosting a turkey lunch on the big day, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will also be surrounded by their family members for afternoon tea on Christmas Eve before exchanging gifts.

Afterwards, the royals dress for dinner, with the men in black tie and the women in evening gowns, with the table set with the finest dinnerware.

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Buckingham Palace shared the first photo from the King's Christmas Day speech on Friday, which will be broadcast at 3pm on the day.

In a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the King's message was filmed in the Quire of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Her Majesty's final resting place is in the George VI Memorial Chapel at the Berkshire royal residence. 

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