The claim that Princess Diana hated having Christmas with the Windsors is reportedly true. Although the word hate is fairly strong, it is known she strongly disliked the family Christmas activities. She was heard describing the experience “terrifying and so disappointing” due to the family only giving “gag” gifts rather than thoughtful presents. Featured in People Magazine, Andrew Morton, the author of “Diana: Her True Story, went on to claim that Princess Diana’s “disdain for the traditional royal Christmas celebrations began as early as her first Sandringham Christmas in 1981.” Further, Princess Diana was quoted saying, “I know I gave, but I can’t remember being a receiver. Isn’t that awful? I do all the presents, and Charles signs the cards. [It was] terrifying and so disappointing. No boisterous behavior, lots of tension, silly behavior, silly jokes that outsiders would find odd, but insiders understood. I sure was [an outsider].”
The link provided in this claim matches the information provided on other websites reporting on Princess Diana’s view of the holiday with the Windsors. This source reports that Princess Diana said, “We were always shunted over to Sandringham for holidays. We used to go and see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the film. We hated it so much. I hated going over there. The atmosphere was always very strange, and I used to kick and fight anyone who tried to make us go over there..”
This statement has also been verified by The U.S. Sun and Marie Claire.
