The Prince and Princess of Wales brought festive cheer to royal fans as they embarked on the traditional Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham. Smiling and waving, the couple were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, much to the delight of the adoring crowds gathered outside the Norfolk estate.
A Gathering of Royals for the Festive Service
The Wales family were joined by King Charles III and Queen Camilla for the annual procession. Camilla chose a vibrant red overcoat and elegant hat for the occasion, walking alongside the monarch. The royals were attending an hour-long Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate, before a private lunch hosted by the King.
The prospect of seeing the young princes and princess is a significant annual draw for supporters. Many dedicated fans had queued for hours, some overnight, to secure a prime spot close to the church path. The event marks a cherished tradition for the family and public alike.
Family Reunion and Notable Absences
The gathering represented a broad spectrum of the Royal Family. Other members attending included the King's siblings: Princess Anne with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and Prince Edward with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and their children, James, Viscount Severn, 17, and Lady Louise, 22.
Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, was also present with her husband, Mike Tindall, and their three children: Mia, 11, Lena, seven, and Lucas, four. Her son, Peter Phillips, attended with his daughters Savannah and Isla. Notably, Peter's fiancée, Harriet Sperling, was expected to join the celebrations, following the relaxation of the rule that only married partners could attend. She has previously met the King and other senior royals at events like Royal Ascot.
However, the King's brother, Prince Andrew, and his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, were absent. This continues their exclusion from the main family festivities, now for a second consecutive year, following the ongoing fallout from their associations with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It is reported they will spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, their home, which they are due to vacate next year.
Their daughter, Princess Beatrice, reportedly feeling torn between loyalty to her parents and the King, chose to spend the festive season overseas on a skiing holiday with her own family.
Dedicated Fans Brave the Cold for a Glimpse
The royal walk was watched by a legion of enthusiastic supporters from across the globe. First in line was 70-year-old superfan John Loughrey from Wandsworth, London, who secured his spot at 9pm on Christmas Eve. He spent the night on a fold-up chair, using heat pads to ward off the cold. "There's something special about sharing Christmas Day with the royals at Sandringham," he said, having brought a self-painted portrait to give to Prince William.
The queue also included international visitors. American tourists Margie and Jeff Brooks, from Texas, made the event the centrepiece of their UK holiday. Their daughter, Elizabeth, 29, braved the chill, noting it was 80 degrees Fahrenheit back home but stating she "wouldn't miss this." Jeff Brooks recalled attending the 1981 wedding of Charles and Diana while studying at Oxford.
Fans from Israel and Canada were also among the crowd. Noele and David Fowler, from Toronto, treated their daughter Jackie to the trip as a Christmas present. "I've always been interested in royal history," Jackie said. "This is such a treat to be here."
The scene at Sandringham provided a picture of traditional royal pageantry and public affection, as the family continues its Christmas customs amidst both continuity and change.
