Around the world, millions of families make an annual meeting with Santa Claus part of their annual Christmas traditions, and while the British royal family might not celebrate the holiday like the average household, when it comes to old St. Nick, they’re just like the rest of us. Over the years, the royals have made a Christmastime tradition of greeting that jolly old man, leading to plenty of sweet holiday photos. Here, we’ve rounded up the best of the royals with Santa, from Princess Diana’s run-in with Father Christmas to Prince William and Prince Harry’s childhood ride in Santa’s sleigh.
1970
Prince Philip drops in on Santa at a department store in Birmingham.
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1987
During a visit to a children’s hospital near Christmas, Princess Diana ran into a couple festive Santas (and their furry friends).
Princess Diana Archive – Getty Images
Another sweet snap of Diana and a Santa.
Princess Diana Archive – Getty Images
1988
Princess Michael of Kent and her children, Lady Gabriella and Lord Frederick Windsor, meet Santa at The Dominion Theatre.
Tim Graham – Getty Images
1990
Prince Harry and Prince William sit in a horse-drawn carriage with Santa.
Martin Keene – PA Images – Getty Images
1992
Princess Diana attends a lunch with author and politician, Lord Jeffrey Archer and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Denis Healey—both dressed as Santa Claus.
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1995
Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York, attends a Christmas party for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, including some festively-dressed guests.
Tim Graham – Getty Images
1998
Queen Elizabeth and The Queen Mother pose with Santa after Ascot.
Tony Harris – PA Images – Getty Images
1998
The Queen Mother meets Santa Claus after the Tote Silver Cup at Ascot.
Michael Stephens – PA Images – Getty Images
1999
Sarah, Duchess of York watches daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as they talk to Santa at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children party.
John Stillwell – PA Images – Getty Images
2000
Queen Elizabeth helps Santa hand out gifts at Ascot.
Fiona Hanson – PA Images – Getty Images
2001
Princess Anne takes a biscuit from Santa’s basket during the Save The Children Festival of Trees at the Natural History Museum.
Peter Jordan – PA Images – Getty Images
2004
A very happy Queen Elizabeth accepts flowers from a fan dressed as Santa Claus.
Scott Barbour – Getty Images
2006
Santa Claus helps the Duchess of Cornwall switch on the Tetbury Christmas Lights.
Matt Cardy – Getty Images
2006
King Charles (then Prince Charles) greets Santa and his helper at the ‘Not Forgotten Association’ reception at St James’s Palace.
Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library – Getty Images
2006
Camilla chats with Santa while in a horse drawn sleigh, backstage at the London International Horse Show.
John Stillwell – PA Images – Getty Images
2010
Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, switches on the Christmas lights in Bath, England, with Santa by her side.
Matt Cardy – Getty Images
2012
While deployed in Afghanistan, Prince Harry dressed up as Santa himself.
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2015
Kate Middleton hugs a young boy in a Santa hat during the Anna Freud Centre Family School Christmas Party.
Chris Jackson – Getty Images
2017
Sarah Ferguson with Santa Claus at the Lady Garden Gala at Claridge’s Hotel.
David M. Benett – Getty Images
2017
Prince William presents Santa with Prince George’s Christmas list.
Dominic Lipinski – PA Images – Getty Images
2017
Charles gives Father Christmas a firm handshake during his 2017 visit to Cardiff, Wales.
Matthew Horwood – Getty Images
2021
Sophie, then the Countess of Wessex, wears a Santa hat during an engagement in Camberley, England.
Pool – Getty Images
2022
For her first holiday season as Queen, Camilla got some help decorating the Clarence House Christmas tree from Santa and a group of children helped by charities she supports.
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2022
Animal-loving Camilla also got to meet one of Santa’s reindeer friends during the holiday celebration.
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2023
A year later, Queen Camilla hosted another Clarence House Christmas celebration, posting for a snap with Santa.
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2023
Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George posted letters to Santa during their mom’s annual Christmas carol.
Chris Jackson – Getty Images
2023
King Charles laughed as he met a Father Christmas during a visit to the Christmas Market at Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre in west London.
PETER NICHOLLS – Getty Images
2024
Camilla with a person dressed as Santa Claus as she invites children to decorate a Christmas tree at Clarence House.
Mina Kim – Getty Images
2024
The Princess of Wales spoke to well-wishers dressed in Santa outfits on Christmas Day 2024.
Oli Scarff – Getty Images
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