Sandringham House

Sandringham House in Norfolk is one of two private estates personally owned by the Royal Family. The house sits at the heart of the 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate and came under royal ownership in 1862 as a country retreat for the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII.

The Prince married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863, and they moved into Sandringham shortly after. As the family grew, more space was needed, and the current building was completed in 1870.

After Edward VII's death in 1910, the house passed to his son, King George V, who wrote: "Dear old Sandringham, the place I love better than anywhere else in the world." Queen Elizabeth II inherited Sandringham from her father in 1952.

The Royal Family traditionally celebrates Christmas at Sandringham, where they gather with many family members. The gardens were first opened to the public by King Edward VII in 1908. Over 200 people earn their living from the estate, including farmers, foresters and gardeners.