The British royal family has several unusual traditions, and apparently, one of them dictates that men and women have separate breakfasts on Christmas morning.

Christmas is usually a quite busy holiday for members of the royal family. They enjoy doing everything possible for the holiday, from sending out cards to decorating their homes with lavish trees. When Christmas arrives, the family traditionally spends time at the Sandringham Estate, attending a church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, followed by a lively game of charades after lunch.

But, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, Christmas morning is usually spent separately, meaning Prince William and Princess Kate will be having coffee in different rooms.

«On Christmas, the ladies typically prefer a light breakfast of sliced fruits, half a grapefruit, toast, and coffee, which is delivered to their rooms,» McGrady told The Daily Mail back in 2017. Meanwhile, male members of the royal family gather in the dining room for a hearty breakfast at 8:30 am, featuring eggs, bacon, mushrooms, smoked fish, and grilled kidneys, to prepare them for the 11 am church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Upon their return, drinks are served to them before lunch.

While it may sound like old-fashioned gender segregation to us, as noted by The Mirror, this tradition may have originated because women spent more time getting ready in the mornings, which explains why they have breakfast in their rooms.

In any case, Christmas Eve is usually the most intimate time for the family, as it is when they exchange gifts and enjoy a pleasant dinner together.