The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in a new rare interview today.

Duchess Sophie has a favourite Christmas activity she enjoys (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Duchess Sophie has been a member of the Royal Family for years, and is very used to spending the big day with the Royal Family at Sandringham. While some may assume the Duchess of Edinburgh’s favourite festive tradition is something to do with Christmas at Sandringham, whether that be the church service or the Christmas lunch, it is in fact not.

Instead, the duchess is believed to like a different part of Christmas that not many people would class as their favourite. That is in fact Christmas carols.

This has been revealed by Prince Edward’s wife in a surprise radio appearance, with Sophie having travelled to the Centro Opp Mentoring Centre in Guatemala City last month, as part of her visit to the city in November, for an interview.In the interview, which aired today on Radio Christmas, Sophie shared what her favourite part of Christmas is.

She said: “My favourite part of Christmas, rather than a tradition, my favourite part of Christmas is Christmas carols.

“So when I was a little girl, I loved singing Christmas carols, and I’ve always loved it. I don’t know if you know but there is a special service for children near to Christmas called Christingle.

“I loved taking my children when they were quite small to this service. It’s all about an orange and the orange represents the world and it represents Christ and Christianity and it’s a beautiful service. I loved that.”

The duchess tends to spend Christmas with the Royal Family (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Sophie is likely to be among the royals stepping out on Christmas Day this week with the Royal Family, where she is expected to be joined by her husband Edward and their two adult children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.

The family are among the usual family members to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham, alongside other royals including Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The family have plenty of traditions they do every year, which includes the festive christmas day church service, the Christmas Eve present opening and a Christmas day lunch.

The royals all reportedly watch the King’s pre-recorded Christmas Day speech together too.