The special reason the Queen eats her Christmas dinner COLD

The special reason the Queen and the royal family eat a cold dinner on Christmas Day has been revealed by Mike Tindall.

• The special reason the Queen (opens in new tab) eats her Christmas dinner (opens in new tab) cold has been revealed.
• The queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall's husband Mike Tindall shared some insider details about Christmas (opens in new tab) with the royal family and the food they eat over the festive period.
• This royal news (opens in new tab) comes after it was reported that the Queen's Christmas speech is being postponed because of Brexit (opens in new tab).

Mike Tindall is married to the Queen's eldest granddaughter, Zara Tindall, and has spent many Christmases celebrating at Sandringham with the royal family.

The rugby star has revealed some insider info on what it's like to spend the festive period with Her Majesty, including some key details about what's on the Christmas menu.

While most of us enjoy tucking into a steaming hot plate of turkey (opens in new tab), gravy and all the trimmings, the Queen and the royal family actually eat a cold Christmas feast - and for a lovely reason.

Speaking on his rugby podcast, Mike, explained that the Queen gives the Sandringham staff the day off on Christmas Day now, meaning the hungry royals dig into a cold buffet (opens in new tab) instead of a warming roast - but enjoy a more classic festive dinner on Christmas Eve.

"Christmas Day is a little more quiet because it's actually a cold buffet because they give everyone the day off, and their big day is Christmas Eve," he said.

But this hasn't always been the way and in previous years Her Majesty and the family have gathered for turkey with all the trimmings plus much more on Christmas Day itself.

Former royal kitchen worker Darren McGrady once said, "After church, that's when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert."

Things will certainly be different this year, with the Queen and Prince Philip spending Christmas quietly at Windsor Castle, cancelling the Sandringham celebrations in line with coronavirus restrictions.

It's believed the royal pair will bubble up with other family members - perhaps Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla or Princess Anne.

Meanwhile it's thought that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will spend the festivities with Michael and Carole Middleton, with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and baby Archie remaining in America.