Kate Middleton’s unusual Christmas gift to the Queen

Finding Christmas presents for your in-laws is a hard enough task for most, but it’s even harder when your grandmother-in-law happens to be the Queen of England.

Each year the royal family exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, in keeping with the German tradition King George VI set.

Typically they stick to gag gifts rather than sentimental presents, because what do you buy someone – like a royal – who has everything?

But in the early years of her life as a royal, Kate Middleton chose to take a step away from tradition and get Queen Elizabeth something a little different.

“I thought, ‘I’ll make her something,’” the Duchess of Cambridge told the BBC, “Which could have gone horribly wrong.”

Instead of opting for the classic joke gift, Kate lovingly cooked up a batch of chutney using a family recipe that had been passed down from her own grandmother.

And by the sounds of things, the Queen was pretty pleased with the gift.

“I was slightly worried about it,” Kate confessed, “But I noticed the next day that it was on the table.”

We can’t say how quickly the chutney was devoured, but we’re sure the Queen loved it.

But Kate’s not the only one who’s skipped out on the joke gift tradition, as Princess Diana didn’t realise gag gifts were the go to.

Her first Christmas as a royal saw Diana gift each member of the royal family a cashmere sweater and mohair scarf.

While many members of the family were amused by the gifts, Diana’s sweet gifts only showed her giving nature, and she’s said to have taken their light teasing quite well.

As for the newest royal lady, Meghan Markle – there’s no word yet on what gifts she gave for her first Christmas as a royal.

But given her great sense of humour we’re sure they were winners!