Christmas with the Queen

by Brian Hoey

So, what is it like to spend Christmas with the Queen – the most famous woman on earth? Is she the sort of person you can relax with, or do you have to be on your best behaviour at all times? And who are the people who get invited to spend the holidays with her? Are they only other Royals or aristocrats, members of her extended family or close friends? What is a typical Christmas Day like with the Royal Family? Do they exchange presents just like the rest of us? After all what do you give the woman who already has everything in the world? And how many Christmas cards does the Queen send, and to whom? Does Her Majesty have a Christmas tree and where does it come from. Where do she and her guests spend Christmas and how do they get there? The answers to these and many other questions are given in this intriguing and riveting account of what really goes on at a Royal Christmas, written by one of Britain’s leading Royal writers, and based on facts from impeccable sources at Buckingham Palace.

Brian Hoey is acknowledged to be one of the most important Royal authors in the world, having written 28 books about the Royal Family. He conducted the first ever television interview with the Queen’s only daughter, Prince Anne, the Princess Royal, and also wrote her only official biography. He was a commentator at the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981, and again, at the funeral of Diana in 1997, and his written work has appeared in countries throughout the world, particularly the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Hoey has been a guest on many major radio and television shows in Britain and America, including the Today Show, Good Morning America and in Britain, This Morning.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Royalty, British Literature, History

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2014

About the author

Brian Hoey is one of the united Kingdom's best informed royal chroniclers. He has written a wide variety of books on the royal family.

He was one of the BBC's first television newscasters and has been a writer and broadcaster for over 40 years at 2002.

He lives in South Wales with his wife and the couple have three grown-up children.

Reviews

[Jordan Hofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short read that details the holiday traditions of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family. Written in 2014, the author covers the details of holiday preparations that start as early as Easter time to prepare for Christmas at Buckingham Palace and more specifically Sandringham, where the Queen spends time from early December until early February. There are many celebrations with family, friends, and staff and the Queen makes sure everyone has a good time and is recognized through gifts and time off.

[Barbara Mahoney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sets out to let the reader know how the Queen of England and her family spend Christmas.

The title intrigued me - that's why I read it. It does deliver in describing what the Queen and her family do on Christmas Day. I did find it amusing that they give each other gag gifts. I was glad to hear that they have some fun with one another!

This is a quick read. You could read it in under an hour.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Hoey writes, factual, charming, appropriate inside looks at life in the Palace. He leaves nothing to chance, from daily routines, staffers to the prices of seasonal items in the gift shop.

This 24 page book is a treat if you like to learn a bit about the royalty. My favorite was the stories surrounding the holiday gift exchanges for the royals. This was a Kindle Unlimited selection for me.

[Donna Schodroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Loved the "almost" minute by minute details of how the Royal Family spends Christmas and all of their traditions. Very interesting to read and learn about some of the gag gifts they buy each other. Also interesting that they must arrive at Balmoral in the right order! It's also kind of short and easy to read.

[Sadie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative.

Short but interesting. Cozy and familiar. Not sure if all of it was true but an interesting look at history. A concise addition to your royal reading. I recommend if you are into short books.

[cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

So nice to see how the Royal Family enjoys the Holiday as we do. There is so much preparation to be done just like in our homes. A very well written book for such a lovely Family. Cheers to all involved!

[Starlightuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading.

Brilliant book following the Queen and the Royal family over the Christmas period. Some great historical background information as well. For anyone interested in the Royal Family as well as all the other relatives.

[June Pulver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

I was disappointed with this book. It seemed to just repeat what is in other books. Hard to keep my intrerest.

[Max Lycett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

It takes less than 30 minutes to read and describes everything brilliantly with step by step directions on how the royals spend Christmas. I would recommend to anyone.

[Mary Durie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short but very well written enjoyable book. Love reading about royalty.

[Lisa Consiglio-Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insight into Christmas with the Queen

I enjoyed this novella. As an admirer of The Queen and the Royal Family I find it interesting how they partake in the Holidays.

[Jacqueline]

Light delight

A nice insight to the festive traditions of the queen and her family. It is respectful and tasteful. Affirmative of the joy of seasonal fun.

[Tessa Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas with the Queen.

A very good read and an observation of the Royal Family at at home for Christmas. Interesting read. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Kate Smith Koller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this if you are curious how the queen spent Christmas ten years ago

[Michael K Froment · Rating 5 out of 5]

inside glimpse

It is always nice to see how the “other half lives but to also see how very similar their traditions are as ours. Bravo!

[Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this 5 stars because this short book does exactly what it's title suggests" Christmas with the Queen." Now, I've never really wondered how the Royals spend Christmas. After reading this book I'll trade my Christmas for a Royal Christmas any day. Except for wanky protocol (who's required to arrive first) and the clothes changing, this is a pretty cool way to spend the day. Early breakfast, cocktails after church, lots of food, a nap, and more food. Who knew the queen likes to play charades! And Downstairs has it pretty good, too. All in all, the Royal Family is pretty bourgeois, but that doesn't bother me. A can't think of a more pleasant way to spend Christmas than with the the queen.

[Mai Thi Ngoc Tu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read “Home with the Queen”, so this book is like a sequel to it.
Some glimpse on the well-regarded and relaxing tradition of British afternoon tea, the unique and half-year preparation of Christmas gifts and card signing, the Queen’s beautiful attention and consideration that set her royalty firm apart from any other corporates.
Different but same same. Favorite quote: “Royalty may not always be right, but they are never wrong”. I know in what context I could apply this philosophy.
I don’t know what else to expect for the one-star short.

[Laura-Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Festive but amature

The book seemed to be written by someone making a lot of guesses of what goes on behind the Royal Family's closed Christmas doors. OK as a quick read to pass time Christmas eve, but not to be taken seriously.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quebec's Christmas

I'm not sure why I had to read this short book, as an American, I am fascinated by the Royals. I'm happy to see that we don't do Christmas that differently than the Windsors!

[Michael D Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mince pies etc

This was an enjoyable book. not a lot of new information, but it is well presented, and very well written. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

[Lynn smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of Time

There was nothing of interest in this book...carefully scripted...no secrets revealed...it's as if the Queen herself wrote it with great reservation.

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sycophantic and light on new info.

[Crista McCormick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, whatever

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

yeah, not that exciting

[Mrs A E Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like this!

Very interesting and informative! I am sure this will entertain most people who are royal watchers and fans of the Queen

[Lore Bennion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of quirky,but nice ....

Interesting, I am glad I never be invited, it would prolly bore me to death...all I all the writer made it a success....