What does one buy the Queen for Christmas? That is is exactly the question Kate faced on her first festive visit.

The Princess of Wales spent Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William and his family for the first time in 2011 – after getting married eight months before.

Every year the royals gather at the Norfolk residence to celebrate the festive period and attend a service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Like many newlyweds, Kate had the challenge of choosing gifts for her new in-laws, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The princess settled on a thoughtful present inspired by her own grandparents.

Speaking on an ITV documentary to mark the late Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, Kate revealed her homemade offering.

The princess said: ‘I can remember being at Sandringham, for the first time, at Christmas. And I was worried what to give the Queen as her Christmas present. I was thinking, “Gosh, what should I give her?”‘

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Kate and the late Queen Elizabeth II smiling during a visit to Nottingham in 2012

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Kate leaving St Mary Magdalene Church with Camilla during Christmas at Sandringham in 2011

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William and his wife on Christmas Day back in 2011. The couple had married in April that year

Kate decided to use her grandmother’s chutney recipe and make the Queen a homemade jar.

She continued: ‘I thought, “I’ll make her something”, Which could have gone horribly wrong. But I decided to make my granny’s recipe of chutney.’

The late monarch seemed to appreciate the gift, as Kate revealed how the next day it was on the dining table.

Kate added: ‘I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table.

‘I think such a simple gesture went such a long way for me and I’ve noticed since she’s done that on lots of occasions and I think it just shows her thoughtfulness, really, and her care in looking after everybody.’

Kate’s first Christmas at Sandringham was a special occasion.

The Daily Mail reported at the time how her attendance to the traditional service in Sandringham helped to attract a record 3,000 well-wishers. 

One fan, Alison Croose, who waited outside to catch a glimpse of the princess, said: ‘I have not seen crowds like this since back into the Diana days.

‘It reminded me of the Diana years – when she introduced Prince William to the crowds when he was about seven or eight. It was touching. Diana used to have her hand on his back.

‘Now you see William with his hand on Kate’s back. It was really nice.’

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Kate decided to use her grandmother’s chutney recipe and make the Queen a homemade jar (stock Image)

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Harry and Kate together on Christmas Day in 2011

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The Royal Family attending a Christmas church service in Sandringham in 2017

Given the Royal Family’s heritage, Kate may have participated in their German festive tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve, too.

The presents are often small and light-hearted offerings rather than flamboyant and expensive. Each gift is labelled and laid out on a table.

Prince Harry recalled a Christmas Eve in his book, Spare, and described how, ‘By custom, at the start of the night, each of us located our place, stood before our mound of presents.’

Queen Elizabeth went on to develop a close relationship with Kate.

The Daily Mail’s editor-at-large Richard Kay revealed how the pair shared a special ‘grandmotherly bond’.

Mr Kay said in Channel 5’s, Kate & The Queen: A Special Relationship programme: ‘The queen grew to trust Kate. I don’t think she really trusted anyone on first impression, we’re all performing the same show, the show is supporting the Queen.

‘But with Kate and the Queen it grew deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two’.

However, 2011 wasn’t the first time Kate was invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham.

The Mail on Sunday reported back in 2006 how she had received an invitation but declined and spent the festive period in Scotland with her family instead.

Kate’s friends said at the time that she only intended to join the royal Christmas gathering after marrying William.

The year before, Kate spent Boxing Day with the Royal Family.

She stayed in a quiet cottage on Wolferton Marshes with William at the royal estate.

Queen Elizabeth II and Kate attending the annual summer exhibition at Buckingham Palace in July 2011

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Kate and the late Queen viewing the princess’s display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2019

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The late Queen and Kate during a visit to King’s College London in 2019

Former royal chef, Darren McGrady, previously told the Daily Mirror how Sandringham is more of a ‘home from home’ compared to other royal residences for the family.

He explained: ‘Unlike Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, which belongs to the State, Sandringham is owned by the royals so it’s a real home from home, and somewhere to really relax.’

The late Queen usually stayed from December to February, until after the anniversary of her father’s death on February 6.

Last year, King Charles stayed over the festive period before relocating to Balmoral in January.