Every year, the Royal Family spends a few weeks at Sandringham during the Christmas season, hosting various family members and friends. Staying with the Royal Family is a formal affair, as expected.
A close friend of Prince Edward recently disclosed her experience visiting the Norfolk estate in 1979. She was invited to stay with the royals by her schoolmate shortly after Christmas, and she had to follow a strict dress code during her visit.
Tanya Rose, the founder of a travel PR company called Mason Rose, shared her story on the Style DNA podcast hosted by Amanda Wakeley. She talked about her invitation from Prince Edward and the royal family to Sandringham when she was a teenager.
Recalling the event, she mentioned, “I was 14 when Edward asked me to visit Sandringham just after Christmas. I was the only non-family member present during the stay.”
When asked about the dress code for her four-day stay, Tanya explained, “I had to prepare four long dresses, four outfits for breakfast and tea, attire for shooting activities, a Barbour jacket, and Wellington boots.”
Due to lacking appropriate attire, Tanya had to shop for new clothes with her parents for the trip. She borrowed a pearl necklace from her mother, claiming it as a family heirloom when the Queen Mother inquired about the jewelry.
Although initially nervous about joining the Royal Family at the Norfolk estate, Tanya was relieved when the late Queen Elizabeth made her feel comfortable.
Describing her first night, she said, “It was intimidating being the only outsider among the family members. The men stayed in one room, and the ladies, including the Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, and Lady Susan Hussey, went to another room.”
“The Queen was incredibly kind knowing my nervousness. She alleviated my fears by mimicking her groom and being very amiable. She was delightful,” Tanya shared on the podcast.
Despite feeling at ease with the late Queen, Tanya experienced an awkward moment during dinner in front of the Royal Family, particularly King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.
“I sat between Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh during dinner. Each of us had a small pot of coffee and a salt container. Mistaking the salt for sugar, I inadvertently added salt to my coffee. Prince Charles amusingly pointed out my blunder,” Tanya recounted.
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