The Royal family's Christmas gathering in Norfolk is like 'Downton Abbey on speed', according to a former Royal butler.
Paul Burrell, a former footman and butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, said Meghan Markle would be transported into 'another reality' when she and her husband Prince Harry arrive at Sandringham on Christmas Eve.
'It's the most intense period of the year, I've been there for so many Christmases, this house is occupied by some of the biggest personalities and egos in the country,' he told Mail Online.
'All these people are members of the royal family, they are all larger than life, have character to go with it. Everyone is jostling for position and attention, and they're bouncing off the walls after four days. It's like a pinball machine.
'They all want to please the Queen and want airtime with her, it's the one time that they can sit down with the head of the family and make an impression.' The Queen is expected to travel to Norfolk next week to oversee festive preparations on her estate.
Mr Burrell said the Christmas break provided family members with a rare opportunity to spend 'airtime' with her.
He said: 'The best time to do it is when she's seated at her card table, before and after dinner, she will sit and play bridge or canasta and she'll always ask people to join her, that's your chance to get quality time and tell the monarch what you're thinking and feeling.' Mr Burrell, now 60, left the service of the Royal Family after the death of Diana, in 1997. In 2003, he published his memoirs.
He was present at Sandringham on numerous occasions over Christmas. He said Meghan Markle would find her stay in Norfolk 'intense'.
He adds: 'I personally think she's finding it tough in there, no one could prepare her for it, not even on a film set, but this is the real world. Imagine Downton, but ramp it up. Sandringham is Downton Abbey on speed.
'This Christmas will be like nothing she's experienced - a British royal family that is 'entrenched in history, tradition, protocol, timetables - it's a strict world, it's a world Meghan's not used to.' The Queen usually travels to Norfolk a few days before Christmas to oversee preparations, including choosing the tree which will be the centrepiece at the house.
Family members arrive in strict order of seniority on Christmas Eve. During the evening, they open their presents - famously competing to see who can buy the cheapest, tackiest gift.
On Christmas Day, the entire family usually attends morning service at the tiny Sandringham Church, before sitting down to Christmas dinner.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here