In a heartwarming moment during the royal family's traditional Christmas Day appearance, Prince William spotted and personally greeted a man known as Princess Diana's biggest admirer among the crowds at Sandringham.
A Personal Greeting from the Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales delighted 70-year-old superfan John Loughrey by calling out to him by name as he stood with his children. William then introduced Mr Loughrey to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who were accompanying their parents to the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Mr Loughrey, from Wandsworth in south-west London, had arrived at 9pm on Christmas Eve and spent the night on a fold-up chair outside the estate's War Memorial gates to secure his place at the front of the queue. He told the Daily Mail: 'It was cold but I had heat pads inside my jumper and hand warmers. There’s something special about sharing Christmas Day with the royals at Sandringham.'
Gifts and Kind Words for the Young Royals
The dedicated fan, wearing a hat covered in royal family pin badges, had brought presents for William's children. He wished the family a merry Christmas and shared a poignant message with the future king, telling Prince George: 'Diana would be proud of you.'
The young royals responded with polite gratitude. Princess Charlotte was heard saying: 'Thank you very much, that's so kind,' as they accepted the gifts.
Mr Loughrey also brought a special gift for Prince William: a 2012 portrait of himself painted by artist Rebecca Francesca Cartwright de Fontenelle in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. The portrait had previously featured in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters exhibition. 'I last saw William at the Centrepoint homeless charity a few weeks ago,' Mr Loughrey explained, 'and I told him I would bring a special gift for him to Sandringham.'
Recognition from the King and Wider Family Gatherings
The superfan's dedication did not go unnoticed by King Charles III either. As the monarch greeted well-wishers lining the route, he recognised Mr Loughrey and remarked on his impressive collection of badges, noting: 'You've collected more badges since last year!'
The Christmas Day gathering saw senior royals walking to and from the church service in bright but chilly conditions. King Charles led the procession alongside Queen Camilla, who wore a striking red overcoat and matching hat. The couple appeared relaxed and cheerful as they acknowledged the crowds.
Following the hour-long service, the family returned to Sandringham House for a Christmas lunch hosted by the King, once again pausing to greet the public. The day also featured surprise appearances from the King’s nieces, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who attended despite speculation they might spend Christmas elsewhere.
Other royals present included Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, with their children Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, as well as Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence. Zara and Mike Tindall attended with their three children, while Peter Phillips was joined by his daughters Savannah and Isla.
A Familiar Face to the Royals
John Loughrey is no stranger to the royal family, having met Prince William on several previous occasions. He also met the Prince in March during a visit to the mental health charity Mental Health Innovations in White City, where they discussed Mr Loughrey's plans to commission more royal memorabilia.
A well-known figure to the press, the retired chef's assistant is a regular visitor to St Paul's Cathedral and famously planned to camp outside Buckingham Palace for ten days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
The touching interaction at Sandringham provided a highlight in the annual Christmas tradition, showcasing the personal connections that can form between the royal family and their most dedicated supporters.
