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    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    The One "Antiquated Tradition" Prince William Is Desperate to Get Rid of When He "Finally" Becomes King

    "You can expect that to be one of the first things to go," a royal source said.

    Amy Mackelden's avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 8 December 2025 In News

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    Prince William and Kate Middleton walk past a lit Christmas tree as they arrive at the state banquet for the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender at Windsor Castle on December 3, 2025
    (Image credit: Carlos Jasso - Pool/Getty Images)
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    When it comes Christmas, the British Royal Family has a plethora of traditions, many of which date back decades. But according to a new report, Prince William isn't a fan of one holiday tradition in particular, which he believes to be "antiquated."

    According to the Daily Mail, "[W]hen Prince William becomes King, it is understood that he will scrap an outdated ceremony which involves handing out 'joke' £5 [$6.65] presents in strict order of royal seniority."

    The outlet suggested that Prince William would likely keep the tradition of exchanging "joke" gifts, but he'd obliterate any semblance of "hierarchy." The so-called "'antiquated' game involves the cheap gifts being handed out" by the monarch "from a specially-assembled trestle [or folding] table in a ritual which perfectly captures the Windsor pecking order."

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    One royal source told the outlet, "While William's mind is on much bigger changes than just the trestle [folding] table, it's well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he's never really taken to." The source further alleged, "You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas."

    Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte laughing and talking to clergymen at Westminster Abbey during Together at Christmas 2025

    "It's well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he's never really taken to."

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    The publication also noted that Prince William has apparently gotten used to spending Christmas Day with his own family—wife Princess Kate and children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—at Anmer Hall.

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    Per the Daily Mail, "Friends say the couple enjoy the Middleton-style 'family chaos' present opening rather than Sandringham's more orchestrated festivities."

    Prince WIlliam, Princess Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis decorating a Christmas tree

    "You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas."

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Basically, "when it's finally his turn to host," William will apparently be implementing some changes, and the folding tables could be the first casualty. "I can't know how to hear any more about tables," said Prince William, probably.

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    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

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