Princess Diana's ‘terrifying' first Christmas with King Charles laid bare

Princess Diana was utterly shocked by a Royal Family Christmas tradition that has been a part of the festivities for decades.

The former Princess of Wales, who married King Charles in 1981, bought expensive Christmas presents for the Royals during her first holiday, only to realise the Family appreciates cheap and witty gifts.

Andrew Morton, who wrote the bestseller Diana: Her True Story, reveals how Diana was disgusted to have received a toilet roll holder.

Princess Diana told Andrew: “It was highly fraught. I know I gave, but I can’t remember being a receiver. 

“Isn’t that awful? I do all the presents, and Charles signs the cards. 

“[It was] terrifying and so disappointing. 

“No boisterous behaviour, lots of tension, silly behaviour, silly jokes that outsiders would find odd, but insiders understood.”

Meanwhile, according to a royal expert Jennie Bond: “The name of the game is to buy cheap, witty presents.

“The gifts are to make people laugh, not to be expensive.

"These gifts are opened on Christmas Eve, a German tradition the family have adhered to for many decades.”