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As reported on Insider, the queen traditionally gives boxes of pudding to her staff, including those working at the Court Post Office and the palace police force. The pudding deliveries arrive with a note signed by both herself and Prince Philip.

Giving out puddings as Christmas presents is in fact a royal tradition that began with King George VI, the queen’s grandfather.

Along with the pudding comes a bevy of items too. A former royal aide revealed to a British newspaper that the presents usually include “a book token or a small piece of china from the palace gift shop.”

A gift voucher is also often handed to staff members who have been in service for more than a year, while others receive a seasonal bonus.

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Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the queen would hand them over personally to her staff members in a gift-giving ceremony, usually held in one of Buckingham Palace’s state rooms. Each person lines up to receive their gifts, allowing the queen to express her regards personally, wish them a pleasant Christmas, and thank them for all their help throughout the year.

According to The Express, the gift-giving protocol gets under way for senior staff members first, followed by the clerks and then the domestic workers and gardeners. Their names are read out by the Lord Chamberlain as cue for them to come forward and receive their presents from the queen.

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This year the palace of course decided to forego the tradition. Here’s hoping this thoughtful tradition will be resumed once more at the end of 2021.

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