The Royal Family has a long-standing tradition of exchanging quirky, inexpensive gag gifts on Christmas Eve rather than lavish presents. This German custom, carried over from their heritage, ensures the festivities at Sandringham are filled with laughter rather than extravagance. Over the years, we’ve heard tales of leather toilet seats, singing hamsters, and even a shower cap with a cheeky slogan.
But one gift stands out as particularly savage: the one Princess Kate reportedly gave to Prince Harry back when he was still a bachelor, navigating a string of high-profile romances that often made headlines.
According to multiple reports, the Princess of Wales presented her brother-in-law with a “Grow Your Own Girlfriend” kit – a cheap novelty toy that expands dramatically when soaked in water.
The inexpensive gag item, available online for just a few pounds, was clearly a playful jab at Harry’s single status and his well-publicized love life at the time. Sources suggest it was given before he met Meghan Markle, during the era when Kate and Harry were particularly close – often described as having a sibling-like bond.
Photos from those years show the duo sharing plenty of laughs together.
Harry reportedly took the joke in good spirits, fitting right into the family’s tradition of light-hearted teasing. He’s no stranger to giving humorous gifts himself – he once famously bought his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, a shower cap emblazoned with “Ain’t life a b****,” which she apparently loved.
Other memorable royal gag gifts include Princess Anne gifting then-Prince Charles a white leather toilet seat (which he allegedly took on tours), and Meghan Markle’s singing hamster for the Queen during her first royal Christmas.
These days, with the family dynamics shifted and Harry spending Christmases in California with Meghan and their children, such playful exchanges are a thing of the past. But stories like Kate’s cheeky present remind us of a time when the “Fab Four” – William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan – seemed inseparable.
As the royals gather at Sandringham this year, the tradition of joke gifts continues, keeping the holiday spirit fun and grounded.
people.comCan Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Keep Gifts …
Who knows what hilarious surprises are under the tree this Christmas Eve?
