Why Meghan and her mum could be weighed by the Queen this Christmas

Hands up if you've ever wanted to be a member of the royal family – even for just a day? The travel, clothes, jewellery and the palaces – what's not to love?

Well, we've found a major downside. And it involves a very old tradition performed by the royals on Christmas Day.

And this year, Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland will have to take part if she is extended an invitation to the exclusive festive celebrations.

Every royal who attends Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham is weighed before and after their meal.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Her Majesty requires all guests to step on a pair of antique scales when they first arrive at the Norfolk estate.

Thankfully though, the bizarre ritual is not to shame anyone. Rather, it's to ensure all guests are having a good time and are being well fed.

LISTEN: 9Honey's new podcast The Windsors is essential listening for royals fans—and episode one is all about Prince Harry. (Post continues.)

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Royal commentator Ingrid Seward detailed the weigh-in during an interview with UK's Grazia magazine.

The tradition dates back to King Edward VII's reign in the early 1900s.

Her Majesty and her family have gathered at Sandringham to celebrate Christmas since 1992, when a fire tore through Windsor Castle.

Following arrivals on Christmas Eve, afternoon tea is served. The evening brings a fancy black-tie dinner, and the opening of presents— another old tradition, this one from Germany and embraced by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert in 1840.

After breakfast on Christmas morning, the royals attend church and then comes the big lunch. Afterwards, they gather around the television to watch the Queen’s address to the nation, take a walk on the grounds of the estate (to make room for dinner, presumably) before an evening of parlour games.

Regardless of the weigh-in, Christmas with the Queen sounds like an event not to be missed.