Do the royal family really weigh themselves before and after Christmas lunch?

One of the most perplexing family traditions

Known for supporting some odd– and somewhat outdated– traditions over the years, the British royal family has one particularly strange Christmas custom. Here’s why his majesty might be whipping out the scales this festive season. 

If the summer heat proved too much for you this weekend, it’s likely you spent your time indoors on the couch, eyes glued to the latest– and final– drop of The Crown episodes. 

It’s no surprise the dramatic Netflix series, based on the lives of the most high-profile members of the royal family, has captivated us with every new season. Spanning from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne in the 50s to King Charles III’s second wedding in 2005, the series has shed (at times fictitious) light on the political and personal dealings of the world’s most famous family institution. 

Aside from the signature pomp and prestige that accompanies their stately duty, the royal family is best known for embodying tradition. But when it comes to odd royal protocols embraced by the House of Windsor, this unconventional Christmas custom might just take the cake. 

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As the tradition states, members of the royal family are each weighed on a set of scales before, and after, enjoying a Christmas feast. While the custom is not as official or ritualistic as the monarch’s annual Christmas broadcast, it is understood the late Queen Elizabeth II was a keen supporter of the festive protocol. In other words, it was very much mandatory. 

The weighing ritual dates back to King Edward VII’s reign (the great-great-grandfather of the UK’s current monarch). Like many households, Christmas Day in the royal family has long been marked by an extravagant consumption of festive food and drinks. 

The weighing ritual was designed by the Edwardian king as a symbolic display of enjoyment, with each guest’s apparent level of indulgence displayed on the scales after the day’s events.

The pomp and majesty of tradition the family is known for. Image: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales

The tradition’s problematic undertones 

Understandably, not every member of the royal household has been a fan of this invasive tradition. As was revealed in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, Diana the late Princess of Wales dreaded this particular aspect of the family festivities.  

According to royal experts, members of the family were expected to gain at least three pounds from their Christmas feast, a measure of their enjoyment. 

While engorging on Christmas Turkey and all the trimmings may seem like a harmless ask for some, the late princess found it to be especially triggering for her disordered eating and struggles with bulimia. 

Princess Diana has spoken publically about her struggles with bulimia, a condition that was no doubt exacerbated by the pressure of this annual tradition. Image: Getty

Is it time to usher in a new age?

If there’s anything our collective binge-watching of The Crown has taught us, it’s that King Charles III, the long-awaited current head of state is a fiend for progressive change. 

Ignoring the traditional expectation of royal family members remaining tight-lipped on matters of politics and personal opinion, the current monarch has publically spoken out about his institution’s need to adapt to its changing society over the years. 

Just four weeks ago, the royal family’s official Instagram account posted the King’s latest initiative, the Coronation Food Project. Aimed at reducing food wastage across the United Kingdom and supporting citizens living in food insecurity, the public campaign is a stark contrast to King Edward VII’s gluttonous tradition. 

But, it’s not just King Charles who appears to support an overthrow of outdated traditions and protocols, with the Prince of Wales’ family sharing a stripped-back Christmas portrait last week. 

Free of the usual pomp and majesty associated with official royal portraits, the young family can be seen resembling the kind of imagery hanging in our grandparents’ hallway– matching denim and all. 

Though the royals are notoriously private about their Christmas celebrations, the recent actions of the most senior (in rank, not age) members of the family suggest outdated traditions such as the Christmas weigh-in may well and truly be laid to rest with the monarchs who invented them.

Originally published as Do the royal family really weigh themselves before and after Christmas lunch?