AS FESTIVE COUNTDOWN BEGINS HIGHGROVE AT CHRISTMAS ROYALS DECK THE HALLS AND REMEMBER THE QUEEN'S DOG BETH

Kicking off the Christmas countdown with an array of colourful decorations, the King and Queen's private home has been transformed for the festive season.

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Visitors to the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire are being treated to a spectacular display, with a twinkling Christmas tree taking pride of place in the Orchard Room, where three-course Christmas lunches are being served amid eco-friendly decorations in red, green and gold.

The house is decked out with low-voltage LED lights, paper baubles, plant-based glitter and flowers made from recycled paper mulch, while a pair of giant nutcrackers stand at the entrance in uniforms painted the colour of Royal Guardsmen, in red tunics with tall black hats.