Prince William has long stated his intentions to run a far more modern and relaxed monarchy.

William is set to make changes during his reign (Image: Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images)

Christmas in the royal household could run on a far less rigid structure when Prince William becomes King.
It is understood that he will scrap an outdated tradition which involves handing out “joke” £5 presents in strict order of royal seniority.

The game involves the gifts being handed out by King Charles from a table in order of seniority from senior royals to junior royals. Sources say as William continues to take his cues from the more relaxed Middleton family in-laws, traditions like this are expected to be among the first things to go when it’s his turn to reign.

As reported in the Daily Mail, the source said: “While William’s mind is on much bigger changes than just the trestle table, it’s well known to be one of those antiquated traditions that he’s never really taken to.”

They added: “You can expect that to be one of the first things to go when he eventually hosts his first Sandringham Christmas.”

It is not the only formality held at Christmas at the Sandringham Estate. Dinner at Sandringham on Christmas Eve is black tie and held to a precise schedule, with seating plans dictated by rank.

Christmas lunch itself has no formal seating plan but the Royals come to the table from their rooms, which are arranged according to their status.

Lower-tier members of the family are housed in servants’ quarters, further away from the dining room, while senior Royals are closer.

Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne, who was not assigned an HRH title at birth, would be left until last, it is thought.

Christmas is celebrated at Sandringham every year (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The source explained: “William adores Zara, he would hate that the practice of leaving her to the back of a queue.”

“It’s just not William’s way of doing things at home and he has apparently quipped in the past that he wouldn’t continue any of that stuff, though he appreciates his father does it for the nostalgia and as a way to remember the Queen.”

Sandringham has not been big enough to accommodate the entire Royal Family in previous years but this year looks different as the monarchy has been slimmed down.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson will not be present, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to staying in Montecito, California.

Earlier this year during an Apple TV interview with Eugene Levy, William cautioned there would be “changes” during this reign but nothing dramatic.