Princess Diana's first Royal Christmas faux pas

Unfortunately Diana wasn't given a heads up about the Royal family's gift giving traditions. Photo / Getty Images

This was one of Lifestyle's top stories in 2018

The Royal family are famous for their love of rules and when it comes to how they celebrate Christmas, it was an unusual tradition that caught out newlywed Diana.

From opening presents on Christmas Eve to weighing themselves before and after the main family meal, the Royals' long list of holiday traditions can be hard to keep track of.

It was something Princess Diana struggled with during her first Christmas with her new family in 1981.

The princess was unaware that all gifts given must be of the cheap and cheerful variety, the funnier the better, the Mirror reported.

Instead, the 20-year-old newlywed committed a major faux pas when she gifted Princess Anne a cashmere jumper, who gave Diana a toilet roll holder in return.

Fortunately by the next Christmas Diana had got into the swing of things, gifting Fergie a leopard print bath mat.

The Royal family are famous for their joke Christmas presents.

Kate Middleton reportedly gave Prince Harry a "grow your own girlfriend" kit one year.

Princess Anne responded to the cashmere jumper Diana gave her with a toilet roll holder. Photo / Getty Images

For her first Christmas with the family last year, Meghan Markle is said to have given the Queen a singing hamster toy.

"Meghan bought a little hamster that sings with a little rope for Her Majesty," a source told the Daily Star in January. "It was so funny, especially when the corgis tried to take hold of the toy."