Hundreds of royal fans gathered outside the gates of Sandringham hoping to catch a glimpse of the King
BEAMING Princess Kate greeted crowds of royal fans as she joined King Charles, Camilla and William for the Christmas Day church service.
In a show of support for the King, Beatrice also joined the family at St Mary Magdalene’s Church on the Norfolk estate for the Yuletide service.
Kate looked elegant as she smiled and waved at royal fans at Sandringham this morningCredit: Getty
The Princess of Wales met a very friendly pooch on the Norfolk estateCredit: AP
Princess Charlotte was handed fresh flowers by well wishers near the churchCredit: Getty
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending the Christmas Day morning church serviceCredit: PA
Princess Beatrice opted to join her family at the Christmas Day morning church service alongside partner Edoardo Mapelli MozziCredit: PA
Princess Charlotte looked the spit of mum Kate as they walked to churchCredit: PA
More than 500 wellwishers descended on Sandringham this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen who were seen greeting people with “Merry Christmas”.
Beaming Charles wrapped up in a camel coat while Camilla opted for a red overcoat and hat as they fended off the chilly morning breeze.
Some even camped out overnight from as early as 9pm to see and potentially chat with some members of the Royal Family.
Loyal royalists came from far and wide, with visitors across The Pond from Canada and Mexico waiting by the metal fences.
After the service, the royals then came out and met well-wishers with George, Charlotte and Louise receiving handfuls of gifts.
George, Charlotte and Louis got so many treats like Christmas Cadbury’s selection boxes that police officers had to carry armfuls away.
The Princess of Wales received numerous flowers and plants and was snapped bending down to stroke a dog.
Charlotte, meanwhile, gave one royal fan in a wheelchair a hug reaching down to embrace the woman who was wrapped in a blanket to keep warm.
CRISIS-HIT YORKS SNUBBED
Princess Beatrice joined the King at Sandringham for Christmas and snubbed her crisis-hit parents.
Charles’ niece, 37, and her younger sister Princess Eugenie, 35, walked with the family as they headed in for the 11am church service.
Bea had earlier planned to avoid both Sandringham and Royal Lodge to prevent being seen as taking sides, and go skiing with pals instead.
Both sisters also attended the wider Royal Family’s pre-Christmas dinner at Buckingham Palace earlier this month.
The sisters made a quick exit with their husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank once the service finished at 11.50am.
They were seen waving and greeting onlookers as they walked past but did not hang around to properly chat with the public, unlike the Wales’s.
Theo Hall, 17, met the Princess of Wales who is charity patron of the East Anglia Children’s Hospices which he attends.
His mum Caroline Mamas-Hall, 56, of Wisbech, said: “Theo shook hands with Kate and spoke about the wonderful care which he receives at EACH.
“It means so much to him to meet her and other royalty like the King, William and Princess Anne.
“They were all coming over to see Theo and were utterly charming and relaxed – giving up lots of their time and making everyone feel at ease.
Kate, Wills, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis beam as they make their way into the churchCredit: Refer to source
Kate looked elegant as she led her family for the serviceCredit: Refer to source
Queen Camilla smiles as she heads to the serviceCredit: Reuters
“It was also a nice surprise to see both Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice here and one of them wished Theo a Merry Christmas.
“We’d been waiting in the cold wrapped in blankets for hours but the sun’s out and it’s all been worth it for a brilliant Christmas morning.”
Julia Pattrick [CORR], 73, from Hunstanton, shook hands with Queen Camilla, who wished her a Merry Christmas.
She said: “It made it all worth it to meet the Queen. She looked fantastically festive all in radiant red.
“I also got a big smile from Kate and the King. Everyone was in good spirits wishing and saying Happy Christmas.
“It was really nice to see Beatrice and Eugenie here too. I didn’t expect that after everything that’s happened with Andrew.”
Princess Charlotte gave Gemma Clark, 45, from Long Sutton, Lincolnshire, a hug in her wheelchair as they exchanged Christmas well wishes.
She said: “Charlotte was amazing. I said Merry Christmas and she said thank you and gave me a big hug.”
Her 75-year-old dad Paul Clark said they gifted origami aeroplanes to Princes George and Louis.
Prince William told them of George’s extensive aircraft knowledge, adding that his eldest son would “know all of them”.
Hilary Marsh and her husband Brian, 77, said it was only right that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were there to celebrate festivities.
The 73-year-old, from Burwell, Cambridgeshire, said: “Beatrice and Eugenie are marvellous girls.
“They’ve done nothing wrong and it must be quite hard for them with everything that’s going on.”
She added that it was “marvellous” to see the King looking well and had gifted the Prince and Princess of Wales’ children boxes of chocolate.
Maureen Pitt, 90, travelled to see the Royals from Wolverhampton, West Mids, with her daughter Vanessa Pitt, who acts as her carer.
She came armed with four selection boxes for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, as well as Zara and Mike Tindall’s daughter Mia.
But the widow said: “I told William not to let them have them until later because they’ve probably had enough chocolate already this morning.”
Louise Smith, 87, from Peterborough, spoke to Kate about her piano performance with Princess Charlotte.
She said: “William and Kate and the children were absolutely wonderful. Especially Kate, she’s ever so beautiful and just such a lovely person.”
Hundreds descended on Sandringham this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the King and QueenCredit: Refer to source
The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte attending the Christmas Day morning church serviceCredit: PA
The Earl of Wessex, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise Windsor walking to churchCredit: PA
The Royal Family’s church visit comes ahead of King Charles’s Christmas Day speech – his fourth since he came to the throne in 2022.
Westminster Abbey is the chosen venue for the King’s message this year.
The Christmas broadcast began as an idea of Sir John Reith, the founding father of the BBC.
King George V was persuaded to interrupt his lunch at Sandringham to address the Commonwealth in 1932.
The monarch used a script written by Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling.
In 1957 the address was televised for the first time under Queen Elizabeth II and to mark her Diamond Jubilee year in 2012, it was recorded in 3D.
And this year, the King’s Speech will step into a new frontier as it will be available in virtual reality.
Last night, Princess Kate and daughter Charlotte performed together to open the Together at Christmas carol concert.
Royal fans had their suspicions confirmed as Charlotte, 10, sat next to proud mum Kate for a special pre-recorded performance.
In a heartwarming moment, the young royal looked up towards her mother, who beamed with pride, during the piece.
Viewers of Kate’s annual festive extravaganza were left stunned by the mother and daughter bonding session.
The Royal Family’s church visit comes ahead of King Charles’s Christmas Day speechCredit: Refer to source
Royal fans were seen queued at the gates of the Norfolk estateCredit: PA
Some even camped out overnight from as early as 9pm to catch a glimpse of the Royal FamilyCredit: PA
It brought family joy to the opening of the concert, which also starred Kate Winslet and a reading by Prince William.
Footage showed Kate and Charlotte together playing ‘Holm Sound’ by Scottish composer Erland Cooper for his mother Charlotte.
Fans gushed over the touching clip, in which Kate and Charlotte also giggled together as their duet came to an end.
Cooper’s work is inspired by ‘nature and connection’, themes the Princess of Wales has described as important to her recovery from cancer.
The opening segment came with Kate narrating her letter to guests.
Addressing viewers, she says “at its heart, Christmas speaks of love taking form in the simplest, most human ways.”
It was filmed in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle last week and composer Erland was present and able to give guidance between takes.
Charlotte was joined by siblings George and Louis at the concert filmed earlier this month.
They each took part in the festive fun writing their names and adding it to a special tree outside.
Narrating the opening sequence, Kate said: “Thank you for joining this ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service.
Princess Charlotte was all smiles, just like her mumCredit: Getty
The King wished many fans ‘Merry Christmas’Credit: Getty
“At its heart, Christmas speaks of love taking form in the simplest, most human ways. Not in sentimental or grand gestures, but gentle ones.
“A moment of listening, a word of comfort, a friendly conversation, a helping hand, presence.
“These simple acts of care might seem small, but they contribute to the beautiful tapestry of life to which we all belong.”
Kate dazzled in a festive green at her fifth annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Her kids George, Charlotte and Louis – all wearing, alongside dad William, matching blue – got into the festive spirit of togetherness.
The smartly dressed trio hung loops of red paper bearing their handwritten names on a “Connection Tree”.
Trigger Point actress Vicky McClure narrated the service after Kate’s introduction.
More than 600 guests were entertained by readings and music delivered by Hollywood actors Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor and singer Katie Melua.
Kate Winslet, 50, performed a touching reading titled ‘Reflection of Love and Connection’.
The service also involved students from London’s Platinum Performing Arts.
Last week, the Prince and Princess of Wales released a touching new family picture – as they wished royal fans a Happy Christmas.
Kate and Wills beamed as they cuddled up with George, Charlotte and Louis in the sweet snap.
The photo – taken by Josh Skinner in April – shows the Waleses sitting together in a daffodil-laden field.
Kate sported a tweed jacket as she put her arm around her eldest son, George, 12, who wore a stylish chequered shirt with jeans.
The Prince of Wales matched their youngest, Louis, seven, with the pair both opting for a shirt, green jumper and jeans.
Princess Charlotte, nine, cuddled up to her dad in the loving pic.
Posting the picture on their official X account, a caption read: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas”.
Last night, Princess Kate and daughter Charlotte performed together to open the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol concertCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Prince William also delivered a reading at last night’s carol serviceCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Kate Winslet gave a reflection on Love and ConnectionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
