This is what Christmas dinner was like for the Royal Family, in case you need ideas for next year’s holiday feast

The Royal Family members — they’re just like us. Okay, maybe that’s not entirely true — but, like many families, they have holiday traditions that they hold dear and practice religiously. If you’ve ever wondered what Christmas dinner is like for the Royal Family (and who amongst us hasn’t?), then you’re in luck.

Darren McGrady, the former chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana Princess of Wales, and Princes William and Harry, has shed some light on how the Royal Family spends Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Each Christmas, Christmas, Queen Elizabeth II heads to Sandringham House in Norfolk on either December 19th or 20th and the rest of the family arrives at lunchtime on Christmas Eve — though the Queen had to miss out on some holiday fun due to a cold this year. (Get well soon!!!)

Then, like so many other families, they enjoy swapping gifts, eating delicious holiday fare, and attending mass. Of course, some things are a bit different — for example, they watch the Queen’s holiday speech after dinner

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Because the Royal Family has German ancestry, they include some German traditions, such as opening gifts on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas day, in their festivities.

Christmas morning is fairly traditional — the family enjoys a big breakfast before attending mass. Post-church, they dine on shrimp or lobster salad, roasted turkey, and traditional side dishes such as parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.

We all know that when you find an amazing holiday meal, you stick to it — so the Royal Family keeps the menu consistent.

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Post-lunch, they watch the Queen’s speech and then disperse to enjoy some downtime before reuniting for Christmas tea and fruitcake.

Dinner is what sounds especially delicious — it consists of a buffet with between 15 and 20 options. The chefs remain at the table to carve and serve, and this Christmas dinner sounds like the stuff of dreams.

But, before the buffet, there’s a delightful tradition — the Queen serves her own servants.

"Right before the Christmas buffet, the senior chef on duty goes into the dining room and carves the rib roast or turkey or ham and once he's done, Her Majesty presents the chef with a glass of whiskey and they toast," McGrady says. "That's the only time the chef goes into the dining room and has a glass of whiskey with the royal family. It's one of the chef's favorite traditions."

If you’re not already jealous enough of the Royal Family’s holiday festivities, just wait — there’s more! McGrady spills that the Queen is a “major chocoholic,” so there’s always plenty of chocolate on hand.

So, how can we score ourselves an invite for next year?

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