Royal Family Celebrating Christmas Through the Years: Photos

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1969

Bettmann/Getty

Christmas at Windsor Castle! Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip put the finishing touches on the Christmas tree in a still from the ITV-BBC film documentary The Royal Family.

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1987

Brendan Beirne/REX/Shutterstock

Princess Diana smiles with Santa Claus during a visit to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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1987

Tim Graham/Getty

A young Prince Harry dressed up as a red and green elf to take part in his school's nativity play.

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1988

Tim Graham/Getty

The following year, Harry was upgraded to an important role: a shepherd! (Prince George also takes part in the tradition. In 2017, Prince William revealed his son played the part of a sheep!)

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1990

Martin Keene - PA Images/Getty

You're never too royal to visit with Santa! During a visit to the Olympia International Show Jumping Championships with their mom, brothers Harry and William climbed into Santa's sleigh.

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1992

REX/Shutterstock

Double Kris Kringle! Princess Diana is surrounded by two Santas during a charity Christmas event.

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1995

Tim Graham/Getty

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie sported matching outfits as they attended a Christmas Pantomime of Cinderella, in support of their mother's charity.

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1998

Tony Harris- PA Images via Getty

The Queen and the Queen Mother aided Santa in giving gifts of chocolate bars to children at the Ascot races.

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1997

UK Press via Getty

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were all smiles as they held presents from the crowd as they headed into the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church with their father, Prince Andrew.

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1998

Tim Graham/Getty

Sarah Ferguson made a tradition of bringing her daughters to the theater around Christmas – and they event got to pose with the performers!

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1998

UK Press via Getty

Prince Harry and Prince William took part in the tradition of attending the annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church, accepting small gifts from the gathered well wishers.

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1999

John Stillwell - PA Images/Getty

Fergie and her daughters, Eugenie and Beatrice, chat with Santa at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children party in London.

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13 of 25

2001

Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, sttended a Northern Ballet sdaptation Of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol at the New Victoria Theatre.

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2010

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall, waves with Santa as she visits Bath to turn on the Christmas lights.

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2012

John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty

Prince Harry poses with a Santa hat as he stands outside the tent at Camp Bastion on December 12, 2012 in Afghanistan, where he served as an Apache Helicopter Pilot/Gunner with 662 Sqd Army Air Corps.

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2012

John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty

Queen Elizabeth records her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.

17 of 25

2014

Mark Stewart - Pool/Getty

Master gift wrapper! Kate Middleton lends her skills during a visit to the Northside Center for Child Development in New York City.

18 of 25

2015

Chris Jackson/AFP/Getty

Kate hugs a young boy after receiving a present as she attends the Anna Freud Centre Family School Christmas Party. She joined groups of families in festive activities designed to help pupils reflect on the positive progress in their social relationships and communication skills.

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2016

ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Ge

Prince William focuses all his attention on decorating a gingerbread house during a charity Christmas party that he attended with Kate and Harry.

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2016

Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty

Family outing! Kate, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince William attend the Christmas service at St. Mark's Church in Bucklebury.

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2016

ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP/Getty

Following the service, George enjoyed a favorite holiday treat: a candy cane!

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2016

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Charlotte held onto her treat as she exited the church, hand-in-hand with mom.

23 of 25

2017

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

Prince William shared Prince George's Christmas Wish List (he wanted a police car!) with Santa during a visit to a holiday market in Finland.

24 of 25

2017

Dave M. Benett/Getty

Fergie posed with a rather fit Santa as she attended the Lady Garden Gala in aid of Silent No More Gynaecological Cancer Fund and Cancer Research.

Continued on next slide.

25 of 25

2017

Chris Jackson/Getty

Meghan Markle's first royal Christmas! Prince Harry's now-bride joined the Royal Fab Four at the 2017 Christmas Day church service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.

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Christmas with the Royals! Every Photo You Need to See of the Royal Family Getting Festive

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