A Festive Royal Appearance in Norfolk
King Charles and Queen Camilla were all smiles this Sunday morning as they attended a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate. The royal couple, braving the brisk 6°C weather, appeared to be in remarkably high spirits, warmly greeting and waving to well-wishers gathered outside the historic church.
Elegant Attire for a Chilly Morning
The monarch, 77, opted for a smart yet practical ensemble to combat the cold. He was seen with his hands tucked inside his brown double-breasted overcoat, which he paired with grey suit trousers and taupe coloured loafers. As the head of the Church of England, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the sunny but chilly countryside atmosphere, walking alongside his wife and a member of the clergy.
Queen Camilla, 78, showcased her signature elegant style. She donned a striking emerald overcoat and chocolate-brown suede boots. Her outfit was perfectly accessorised for the season with a fashionably cosy, fur-lined wide-brimmed hat, a scarf, gloves, and a pair of dazzling pearl earrings.
A Royal Christmas Tradition
This annual Christmas service is a long-standing tradition for the Royal Family at St Mary Magdalene Church, a 16th-century church situated on their Sandringham property. The estate itself has been in the family since 1862 and is owned privately by the royals, not held by the Crown. It was passed down through generations, most recently belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II until her passing in September 2022, after which it was inherited by King Charles.
Royal Residency Shifts
This festive appearance comes amidst news concerning the King's brother, the former Prince Andrew. It has been confirmed that Andrew will spend one final Christmas at his Royal Lodge home in Windsor and will not be moving to a residence on the Sandringham estate until well into the new year, specifically sometime in 2026.
This delay, attributed to the substantial logistical process of moving from his long-term home and negotiating the early end of his lease, is reportedly a relief to the family. Sources indicated that having Andrew present on the King's private Norfolk estate during the festive season, when senior royals gather, would have been considered 'suboptimal' and 'quite awkward'. His eventual move to Sandringham, a private estate, allows his living arrangements to be handled entirely away from the public eye.
A Message of Condolence
Prior to this weekend's service, the King also demonstrated his role as a figure of national condolence. He and Queen Camilla issued a heartfelt message to Hong Kong following a devastating tower block fire that claimed at least 128 lives. In a letter, the King expressed that they were 'greatly saddened' by the tragedy and offered their 'profound sympathy' to all those affected, praising the extraordinary courage of the emergency services.
