What the Royals Eat on Christmas

Plus: Inside the World of Hockey Romance

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I, for one, am looking forward to the food. For many of us, that means Christmas cookies or cuddling up with some cocoa—for the royals in Europe, it means feasts filled with historic dishes like roasted peacock. We all have our own traditions after all! One of my favorites is an annual rewatch of The Family Stone, which turned 20 this year. It has always been a sort of emotional roller coaster (if you haven't seen it, you will laugh and you will cry), but this year I'm sure there will be more tears. VF's Savannah Walsh talked to writer-director Thomas Bezucha about some of the most famous moments in the movie (the dinner party scene!) and how Diane Keaton's death in October changed the film's legacy and the potential for a sequel. The end of the year is always a time for some rest, reflection, and a bit of a reset, so we will be taking some time off. But we couldn't leave you without a few gifts. We'll be counting down our most-read stories of the year, and you'll receive some special festive editions too. Happy holidays! LINDSEY UNDERWOOD, SENIOR EDITOR The Royals' Christmas Menu BY HADLEY HALL MEARES While Meghan and Harry shape their own holiday traditions in Montecito, far from King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate, the royal families of Europe will enjoy feasts filled with historic dishes, many of which spring from traditions stretching back to the Middle Ages. READ MORE More Great Reads CULTURE Heated Rivalry and the Big Business of Hockey Romance Novels BY KASE WICKMAN The queer hockey romance—and the genre's enduring and exploding popularity—is about so much more than dudes on skates. READ MORE FILM The Family Stone, 20 Years Later BY SAVANNAH WALSH On the film's 20th anniversary, writer-director Thomas Bezucha talks to VF about the divisive dinner table scene, getting political in a Christmas movie, and his plans for a follow-up after Diane Keaton's death. READ MORE FILM What's Shaking With Amanda Seyfried BY REBECCA FORD The actor spills on what she had to do to transform into Ann Lee, why she sympathizes with her Housemaid costar Sydney Sweeney, and her surprising passion. READ MORE From the Archive Sticky Business BY RICH COHEN With the value of maple syrup at roughly $1,300 a barrel, 26 times more expensive than crude oil, it's time everyone knew about the not-very-shadowy Canadian cartel that controls 72% of the world's supply. Investigating the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, VF's Rich Cohen discovers that its mission—ensuring a steady market for the authentic product, and defending it against Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth—has created new perils, including Quebec's Great Maple Syrup Heist. READ MORE For the Literary Buff Hockey Romance Books to Read While You Wait for the Heated Rivalry Restock If you or a loved one are experiencing withdrawal symptoms while waiting for the next episode of the show to drop, VF asked hockey romance aficionados about their book recommendations that fans may want to reach for. VF's 17 Favorite Books From This Year If you're searching for a book recommendation, don't rely on the algorithm, rely on us humans. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2025. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.