King Charles III's Christmas tree offers a lesson in royal festive decor – the classic color is the simplest way to make your home look expensive in an instant

For many Brits, Christmas Day involves tuning into the monarch's annual broadcast, usually filmed in a palace or castle (such as Buckingham Palace in 2023).

This year, in a pause from tradition, King Charles III recorded his message beyond one of his royal residences, specifically in Fitzrovia Chapel, a Gothic Revival church in the center of Westminster, London. However, while the location has broken conventions, the Christmas decorations seen in the backdrop remain as classic as expected. Perhaps inevitably, this begins with the tree.

The Christmas tree, seen behind King Charles III, follows the same format as in previous years – exhibiting a natural green base, gold string lights, and a series of red and gold ornaments that tie the classic look together. It's a combination that hasn't gone unnoticed by color experts, including Lucy Steele, a design expert from V&CO, who says the style is surprisingly replicable.

'If there’s one Christmas decoration the Royals are known for, it’s a Christmas Tree. Since bringing them to the UK all those years ago, the Royals certainly know how to deck a tree, and they always make it the focus of the room,' Steele comments. 'The Royals always stick to the classic color schemes; rich dark reds and greens provide the perfect colors for festivities, with gold and glittered aspects to create a truly magical feel in the home.'

Darker reds and greens are also crucial to the royal color scheme – but Christmas offers an opportunity to introduce these hues into our homes (in ways that may seem less possible at other points of the calendar).

'Opting for darker, more depthful reds and greens is important to making the space feel more expensive and elevated than bright reds and greens, which can feel harsher on the eye when used in abundance,' Steele explains. 'Using subtle versions of classic Christmas colors will add depth to the space, as well as beauty, and add the right amount of romantic charm.'

Antique ornaments offer another way to bring a personal (yet regal) look to your Christmas tree.

'The Royals definitely stick to more traditional-looking decorations, with lots of Tudor and Victorian-inspired elements that match the home and interiors. Looking for antique ornaments in charity shops and antique stores is a fun way to incorporate this look into your own home,' Steele comments. Plus, we can take royal lessons beyond the tree.

'Other key elements the Royals use to make the home look more historic are things like bows, which also happen to be a big trend of 2024. Whether it's trimming the tree with bows or tying them to the banister, bows add an endearing and classic look to the home.'