In a cherished festive tradition, the royal family marked Christmas Day by walking to a morning church service on the King's private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
A Frosty Procession to St Mary Magdalene
Led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, the party made the short journey from Sandringham House to the nearby St Mary Magdalene Church on Thursday 25 December 2025. They were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers who braved the cold on a sunny Norfolk morning for a glimpse of the spectacle.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were present, accompanied by their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Close behind were the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, alongside Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband, former England rugby star Mike Tindall.
The Notable Absence of Prince Andrew
Conspicuously missing from the gathering was the disgraced Prince Andrew. The Duke of York, whose association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein led to his downfall, was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by his brother, the King.
Reports suggest Andrew spent Christmas at his Royal Lodge home near Windsor Castle, a property he is soon to vacate. He is expected to move to a smaller residence, Marsh Farm, on the Sandringham Estate once renovations are completed in the new year. The move follows public outcry over the peppercorn rent he was paying for the Windsor property.
His daughters, however, were present at the royal celebrations. Both Princess Beatrice with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie with spouse Jack Brooksbank, were spotted walking to the service with the main family group.
A Year of Highs and Lows for the Monarchy
The festive gathering comes at the end of a tumultuous year for the House of Windsor. The King recently shared what was described as "good news" regarding a reduction in his cancer treatment. Conversely, the impending release of information from the Jeffrey Epstein files threatens to shed new, unwelcome light on Prince Andrew's past relationship with the financier.
The Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams greeted the monarch before the service commenced, as the family observed a tradition that has become a cornerstone of the public's Christmas Day for generations.
