Royal Christmas Stockings Auctioned for Charity, Made from King’s Drapes

King Charles III’s charitable foundation has launched a holiday initiative that’s equal parts tradition, charity, and hands-on craft. This season, the King’s Foundation is auctioning off Christmas stockings sewn from repurposed drapes that once hung at the Sandringham Estate.

These stockings are the work of the Dumfries House Sewing Bee, a group under the King’s Foundation dedicated to keeping traditional skills alive. The auction’s proceeds will help fund practical skills training for thousands of young people each year.

The Story Behind the Royal Christmas Stockings

Dumfries House in Scotland sets the scene for this creative project. The Sewing Bee group has been busy, transforming royal drapes into festive stockings.

Those curtains, which once added charm to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, now take on a second life. The sewing circle’s hands bring each stocking to life, making every piece one-of-a-kind and infused with a bit of royal history.

The Dumfries House Sewing Bee

Sarah McClymont leads the group as the tutor for the foundation’s Future Textiles initiative. The Sewing Bee is a lively community of crafters who share a love for sewing and giving back.

Christine Wilson, a retired finance officer, is one of the devoted members. “It’s a great atmosphere in the sewing bee, a great group of friends, and we do a lot for charities as well,” she says.

Auction Details and Charitable Impact

The auction runs until midnight on December 12. The King’s Foundation uses the funds to provide training in skills like hospitality and animal husbandry for over 15,000 young people each year.

This effort is part of a larger push to keep traditional crafts alive, making sure these skills don’t fade into obscurity.

Unique and Collectible

The Dumfries House Sewing Bee has made just 25 stockings, each one numbered for a bit of extra exclusivity. Stocking No. 25 will go to King Charles III himself as a Christmas present—definitely a collector’s dream.

Sarah McClymont hopes the auction winners will keep these stockings in their families for generations. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to hang a piece of royal history by the fireplace?

The Evolution of the Charity Auctions

This isn’t the first time the King’s Foundation has turned royal fabric into something special. Back in 2023, the foundation’s first auction featured kimono jackets made from curtains that once hung in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

The following year, students from Highgrove Gardens’ furniture school crafted footstools with more palace curtain fabric. These auctions have brought in funds for the foundation and shined a light on sustainability and creativity in preserving royal heritage.

Endless Possibilities with Royal Fabric

Buckingham Palace alone has 760 windows, so the supply of royal fabric isn’t running out any time soon. That means the King’s Foundation can keep dreaming up new projects for years to come.

Get Involved and Make a Difference

If you want to support the King’s Foundation, bidding in the auction is a great way to jump in. You could end up with a unique Christmas stocking and help empower young people with practical skills at the same time.

Curious? Check out the official auction page for details and to place your bid.

Conclusion

The King’s Foundation’s Christmas stocking auction is coming up as the holidays draw near. It’s a chance to celebrate tradition, craftsmanship, and a little bit of charity all at once.

Each stocking is hand-stitched from the drapes at King Charles III’s Sandringham Estate. They’re not just festive—they carry a story and a dedication to keeping traditional skills alive.

If you want to get involved, check out the official auction page for more info or to place a bid.