Every year, the Royal Family spends several weeks at Sandringham during the Christmas season, hosting family members and friends who are invited to partake in the festive celebrations. Staying with the Royal Family is a formal affair, as expected.
A close friend of Prince Edward recently shared her experience of visiting the Norfolk estate in 1979. She had been invited by her school friend to join the royals for a post-Christmas stay, where she had to strictly adhere to a particular dress code.
Tanya Rose, the founder of a travel PR firm called Mason Rose, recounted her stay on Amanda Wakeley’s Style DNA podcast. She openly discussed her invitation from Prince Edward and the strict clothing requirements during her teenage visit to Sandringham.
“I was 14 years old when Edward invited me to Sandringham just after Christmas,” she mentioned on the podcast, highlighting that she was the sole non-family member during the visit.
When asked about the attire for her four-day stay, Tanya explained, “I had to prepare four long dresses, outfits for breakfast, tea, shooting activities, as well as items like a Barbour jacket and Wellington boots.”
The PR executive shared that she did not possess appropriate clothing for the occasion, requiring her and her parents to buy new garments for the trip. Tanya also mentioned how her mother lent her a pearl necklace acquired from Fenwick’s, which she portrayed as a family heirloom when questioned about it by the Queen Mother.
Despite feeling anxious about joining the Royal Family at the Norfolk estate, Tanya found comfort when the late Queen Elizabeth helped alleviate her nerves.
Recalling her first night, she expressed, “It was quite intimidating being the only non-family member present. The men stayed together, while the ladies gathered in a separate room with the Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, and Lady Susan Hussey, who served as the Queen’s lady-in-waiting.”
“The Queen was incredibly kind because she sensed my nervousness. I was truly petrified, and she lightened the mood by imitating her stablehand and being very charming. She was wonderful,” Tanya continued.
Despite the Queen’s reassuring presence, Tanya had a somewhat embarrassing moment while dining with the Royal Family. She recounted an awkward incident during dinner that caught the attention of King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.
“I was seated next to Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh. Each of us had a small pot of coffee in front of us, along with individual salt and sugar containers. I mistakenly used salt, thinking it was sugar, and Prince Charles amusingly pointed out my blunder,” Tanya humorously shared.
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