The heartfelt gift Kate Middleton gave the Queen for her FIRST Christmas at Sandringham – and it was inspired by her own grandmother

What do you buy the Queen for Christmas? That’s exactly the question Kate asked herself during her first festive visit.

The Princess of Wales spent Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William and his family for the first time in 2011 – after getting married eight months previously.

Every year, the royal family gathers at the Norfolk residence to celebrate the festive period and attend a service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Like many newlyweds, Kate had the challenge of choosing gifts for her new in-laws, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The princess opted for a thoughtful gift inspired by her own grandparents.

Speaking in an ITV documentary to mark the late Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, Kate revealed her homemade offering.

The Princess said: “I remember being at Sandringham for the first time at Christmas. And I was wondering what to give the Queen as a Christmas present. I thought, “My God, what should I give him? »

Kate decided to use her grandmother’s chutney recipe and make a homemade pot for the Queen.

She continued: “I thought, ‘I’ll make him something,’ which could have gone horribly wrong. But I decided to make my grandmother’s chutney recipe.

The late monarch appeared to appreciate the gift, as Kate revealed how the next day it was on the dining table.

Kate added: “I was a little worried about it, but I noticed the next day it was on the table.

“I think such a simple gesture was very helpful for me and I’ve noticed it since she’s done it many times and I think it just shows her thoughtfulness, really, and her concern for s “take care of everyone.”

Kate’s first Christmas at Sandringham was a special occasion.

The Daily Mail reported at the time how his attendance at the traditional service at Sandringham helped attract a record 3,000 well-wishers.

One fan, Alison Croose, who was waiting outside to catch a glimpse of the princess, said: “I haven’t seen crowds like this since Diana’s time.

“It reminded me of the Diana years, when she introduced Prince William to the crowd when he was seven or eight years old. It was touching. Diana had her hand on his back.

“Now you see William with his hand on Kate’s back. It was really nice.

Given the royal family’s heritage, Kate may also have participated in their festive German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve.

Gifts are often small and light offerings rather than flamboyant and expensive. Each gift is labeled and placed on a table.

Prince Harry recalled one Christmas Eve in his book Spare and described how “by custom, at the start of the night, each of us would locate our place and stand in front of our pile of presents.”

Queen Elizabeth later developed a close relationship with Kate.

Daily Mail editor Richard Kay revealed how the pair shared a special ‘grandma bond’.

Mr Kay said In Channel 5, Kate & The Queen: a special relationships program: ‘The Queen began to trust Kate. I don’t think she really trusted anyone at first glance, we are all doing the same show, the show supports the queen.

“But with Kate and the Queen it became deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two.”

However, 2011 wasn’t the first time Kate was invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham.

The Mail on Sunday reported in 2006 that she had received an invitation but declined and spent the holidays in Scotland with her family.

Kate’s friends said at the time that she only intended to join the royal Christmas gathering after marrying William.

The year before, Kate had spent Boxing Day with the royal family.

She stayed in a quiet cottage on Wolferton Marshes with William at the royal estate.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady previously told the Daily Mirror that Sandringham was more of a “home away from home” compared to the family’s other royal residences.

He explained: “Unlike Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, which are owned by the state, Sandringham is owned by the royal family, so it’s a real home away from home and a place to really relax.”

The late queen usually stayed from December to February, until after the anniversary of her father’s death on February 6.

Last year, King Charles stayed over the festive period before moving to Balmoral in January.