Prince George, Charlotte and Louis get to open their Christmas presents BEFORE their cousins due to special royal privilege

The Wales children get to open their Christmas presents earlier than their cousins for this special royal reason

Prince George of Wales (L), Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales (C) and Britain's Prince Louis of Wales (R) attend the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London on December 8, 2023
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The unlikely reason Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis get to open their Christmas presents BEFORE their cousins and it's all due to a special royal privilege.

Millions of lucky children will be excited to open some of the top Christmas toys on Christmas Day but while parents look for the best places to hide Christmas presents from kids, the Wales family won't have to worry so much.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis get special treatment when it comes to opening their Christmas presents a day BEFORE their cousins because the royal youngsters follow a family tradition that is in keeping with the Royal Family's German heritage.

It involves opening their presents on Christmas Eve, while millions of families wait until Christmas Day to open theirs.

And former royal chef Darren McGrady explained, "The royals are of German descent so they weave in German traditions to their celebrations. After afternoon tea, they open gifts on Christmas Eve, as is the German tradition."

But their Middleton cousins will have to wait until 25th December to open theirs as they are not directly in the royal family.

But while George, Charlotte and Louis are allowed to break that rule, Kate Middleton revealed a relatable parenting rule they despise.

Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the Royal Carols posting letters - Together At Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, to ensure the Wales children aren't left out on Christmas Day itself, it's understood that they also open some presents on Christmas Day. In 2018 Kate revealed both George and Charlotte had been "up early" opening presents.

And it's reported that Prince George got his habit of opening presents even earlier than Christmas Eve from his late grandmother Princess Diana

During a 2016 interview with Kiss FM DJ AJ King, Prince William revealed Prince George always tried to get his gifts early. "He said they were all really excited about it and that George is already opening his presents. He thought it a quite funny. That's kids for you, even the ones that are princes!"

And it looks like it's a father-like son - as in a letter to a friend from December 1985, when Will was three years old (the same age, coincidentally, that George was when Prince William confessed his own early unwrapping) Diana revealed that she and William were both guilty of opening gifts early.

Princess Diana Helping Prince William With A Jigsaw Puzzle Toy In His Playroom At Home In Kensington Palace

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"I rushed home to open your Christmas present, which I thought was quite good considering the 25th is actually two weeks away!!" Diana wrote in the letter.

"I could not resist opening my present, as a parcel of any shape or form has never been safe with me and I fear that William has also picked up this dreadful habit from his mother, as I find wrapping paper undone in the most extraordinary places!"

One thing that the royals do release early is their annual Christmas cards and there's a bizarre detail in Prince William and Kate Middleton's adorable Royal Family Christmas card that you might have missed. But Prince Harry and Meghan, since stepping back from the royal family, are said to have released their photo card late.

Their 2023 Christmas card breaks usual traditions as body language expert reveals the hidden meaning behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s child-free Christmas card, and it might just inspire you.

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)