Annually, the Royal Family spends a few weeks at Sandringham during the Christmas season, hosting relatives and friends for the festive occasion. As anticipated, the gathering is far from casual, reflecting the formal atmosphere of being in the company of the Royal Family.
Recently, a close friend of Prince Edward revealed her experience at the Norfolk estate in 1979. She received an invitation from her schoolmate to join the royals for a post-Christmas stay, detailing the stringent dress code she had to follow during her visit.
Tanya Rose, the founder of a travel PR agency called Mason Rose, recounted her visit on Amanda Wakeley’s Style DNA podcast. She openly discussed her invitation to Sandringham by Prince Edward while she was still a teenager.
“I was only 14 when Edward asked me to join the gathering at Sandringham just after Christmas,” she explained on the podcast, emphasizing that she was the sole non-family member present during the stay.
When questioned about the attire required for her four-day visit, Tanya mentioned, “I had to prepare four long dresses, four breakfast outfits, four tea outfits, attire for shooting activities, a Barbour jacket, and Wellington boots.”
The PR executive admitted that she didn’t possess suitable clothing for the occasion, prompting her and her parents to purchase new outfits for the trip. Tanya also disclosed that her mother lent her a pearl necklace from Fenwick’s, passing it off as a family heirloom when questioned about it by the Queen Mother.
Reflecting on her nervousness about joining the Royal Family at the Norfolk estate, Tanya fondly remembered how the late Queen Elizabeth helped calm her fears.
She recounted, “On that initial night, I was quite anxious as the only outsider among the family members. The men remained in one room while the ladies, including the Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, and Lady Susan Hussey, gathered in another room.”
“The Queen was incredibly kind as she sensed my nervousness. She started mimicking her groom, lightening the atmosphere and being exceptionally sweet to me. Her warmth was truly remarkable.”
Despite feeling more relaxed thanks to the late Queen’s kindness, Tanya recalled an embarrassing incident during dinner in the presence of the Royal Family, particularly with King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.
“I was seated between Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh. Each of us had a small pot of coffee and a salt shaker. I mistook the salt for sugar and unknowingly added it to my coffee. Prince Charles amusingly pointed out my mistake, saying, ‘You just poured salt in your coffee!'”
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