The Royal Family is preparing to continue its cherished Christmas tradition by attending the morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Hundreds of well-wishers are expected to gather for a glimpse of the royals on Christmas Day.
Who Will Be at Sandringham This Year?
King Charles and Queen Camilla will lead the family walk to church. They will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Catherine, along with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. A host of other working royals are also anticipated to be in attendance.
However, the gathering will see several notable absences. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again not expected to join the festivities at the King's Norfolk retreat, continuing their pattern of spending Christmas in California.
In a more significant exclusion from the core family events, the disgraced Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will not be present. Reports indicate this will be their final Christmas at their home, Royal Lodge, as they remain outside the official royal fold.
Princess Beatrice Opts for a Ski Trip
Another absentee will be Princess Beatrice. It has been reported that, rather than choose between an invitation to Sandringham and spending the holiday with her parents, Andrew and Sarah, she has decided to sidestep the dilemma entirely. The Princess is said to be embarking on a skiing holiday abroad with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their children.
A Christmas Eve Highlight: Kate and Charlotte's Piano Duet
The build-up to Christmas Day was marked by a deeply moving moment during the broadcast of the Princess of Wales's 'Together at Christmas' carol service from Westminster Abbey. In a surprise segment, Princess Catherine performed a piano duet with her nine-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte.
The tender performance left many viewers emotional, with one fan stating it was the "first speech I’ve wanted to listen to this festive season" and that they were left "quite tearful". The service, which aired on ITV at 7.25pm on Christmas Eve, was filled with musical performances from artists like Katie Melua, Griff, and the Fisherman's Friends, alongside readings from figures such as Prince William, Kate Winslet, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Prince William delivered a reading from the Gospel of Luke, telling the story of the shepherds, while Kate Winslet reflected on the power of love and community, stating, "We all deserve to belong."
Looking Ahead to Christmas Day
As the family convenes at Sandringham, they will partake in their own unique traditions, including a strict timetable and a bizarre ritual first started by King Edward VII. The King's annual Christmas Day broadcast is also highly anticipated, with expectations that he will pay tribute to Britain's war veterans.
The day will culminate in the public walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, a visual symbol of family unity for the monarchy, even as it navigates the complexities of modern relationships and public expectations.
