The Queen celebrates Christmas Day with members of the Royal Family at Sandringham. Like thousands of Britons, the monarch marks the day by heading to church with senior royals, and their walkabout outside St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Norfolk has become one of the most anticipated event of the festive seasons for royal fans. 

And Ms Kelly, the Queen’s dressmaker, makes sure the monarch looks her best on the day.

The preparations for the perfect Christmas outfit begin several weeks before Christmas, as revealed by the dressmaker.

The choice of the outfit’s colours starts by recalling what the Queen has worn on the past Christmases, Ms Kelly said.

She wrote in her book, The Other Side of the Coin: “The Queen attends church with her family every year on Christmas Day. 

“Christmas is such a special time of the year – everyone puts on their best clothes and, of course, the Queen is no different.

“There is so much media coverage, with pictures sent all over the world, and I take a lot of care in designing Her Majesty’s outfit.

“I start to plan well in advance – around two months or so – checking to see what colours The Queen wore in previous years as I don’t want to repeat a colour for a few years.

“I aways think of the children and the other members of the public who are standing outside, waiting patiently for Her Majesty’s arrival at the church.

“I like to make sure the Queen is wearing a festive colour so the well-wishers can see her easily.”

As Ms Kelly usually rules out colours the Queen has worn in the past two years on Christmas Day, royal fans waiting for the monarch to arrive at church on December 25 should not expect her to be wearing bright orange, worn in 2017, or a grey and pink outfit, worn last year.

Ms Kelly isn’t the only dressmaker of the Queen.

As she revealed herself, the outfits worn by the monarch on Christmas are sometimes made by Stewart Parvin, a well-known British fashion designer.

Ms Kelly said: “I do alternate years with Stewart Parvin, so we each get a turn making the Queen look lovely on Christmas Day.”

The royals spend a day packed with events and traditions on Christmas.  

Presents are usually opened on Chrismas Eve, following the German tradition adopted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

This means that Christmas Day starts with the royals gathering for breakfast before heading to church.

The Queen is usually driven to the chapel, while other royals walk there from Sandringham House, cheered and welcomed by well-wishers. 

After Christmas service, the royals return to Sandringham House and enjoy a lavish lunch, which includes mashed potatoes with cream and butter, sautéed parsnips with Parmesan, carrots, stuffing, gravy and Brussels sprouts served with onion and shredded bacon.

At 3pm, the family gathers around the TV to watch the televised Christmas speech.

Royal writer Richard Kay added: “We all think it’s a terribly formal, but really they have a wonderful relaxed time at Sandringham like the rest of us.”    

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