The royal family gathers at Sandringham each year to celebrate Christmas - but it may not be as regal as everyone thinks. Members of the Firm join King Charles at his estate in Norfolk, and this year was no different, keeping up the tradition of his late mother, Elizabeth II . Prince William revealed earlier this month at an event for families of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment at Picton Barracks in Wiltshire that 45 royals would be in attendance at Sandringham this year.
But despite the massive guest list, the residence is one of the smallest and least grand, making it a tight squeeze for the King and Queen Camilla to host their guests. The estate reportedly sleeps around 16 to 18 people comfortably, meaning some guests have to make do with shared rooms and 'fish finger' style beds. One solution when they run out of beds is to turn the staff quarters into guest rooms, according to an expert.
Royal commentator Rebecca English told MailOnline : "In previous years I've been told that they've actually had to kick staff out of their quarters. And Edward and Sophie were put in some of the staff quarters because they had nowhere else to stay." She added, "It sounds more glamorous than it is.
" The expert went on to explain that the royals are able to fit so many beds into one room by using old-fashioned "fish finger beds" that come with "creaky bedsprings." It is not known how many bedrooms Sandringham house boasts as it is a private residence, however it is believed to be around.
