What is Sandringham House?
Sandringham House is a country house in Norfolk owned privately by the British monarch. It is where the royal family traditionally spends Christmas, attending church at St Mary Magdalene on Christmas morning.
Unlike Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, which are owned by the Crown, Sandringham is the personal property of the monarch. It was bought in 1862 for the future King Edward VII.
Edward rebuilt the house in the Jacobean style. It became a favorite retreat for several monarchs, including George V and George VI, who both died there.
Christmas tradition
Each Christmas, members of the royal family walk to the nearby church, where crowds gather to see them. Queen Elizabeth II often spent the winter months at Sandringham.
The first royal Christmas radio broadcast was made from Sandringham by George V in 1932.
The estate covers about 20,000 acres, including farmland, woodland and a country park. The house, gardens and museum are open to visitors at certain times of year. The museum displays royal vehicles and gifts.
Sandringham is also known for its royal stud, where racehorses are bred. The surrounding Norfolk countryside is popular for walking and birdwatching.