Kate hugs Royal fans while William and George embrace the festive spirit
The Royal Family, led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, arrived at the Sandringham Christmas church service – but there was no sign of Prince Andrew.
Senior royals gathered for the traditional family event at the Norfolk estate where Queen Elizabeth hosted 32 Christmasses before her death.
Crowds had gathered to welcome Charles and Camilla outside the St Magdalene Church in Sandringham, with some mega fans queueing in camping chairs overnight to get a glimpse of their favourite royals.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales also arrived at the church service along with their children, while dozens of other family members are said to be spending Christmas Day at Sandringham.
Charles was dressed in a camel coat and grey trousers, while Queen Camilla sported a dark green hat and coat.
Kate also wore a green coat and matching hat paired with a tartan scarf, black heels and a handbag. Read more about her outfit choice here.
After the church, the royal family will return to the Sandringham manor for a Christmas lunch, followed by parlour games such as charades and bingo later on.
But Prince Andrew, who has been linked to the alleged ‘Chinese spy’ scandal, did not walk along with the rest of his family.
He was spotted on Sunday driving to go for a solo walk at Windsor Castle instead while his older brother Charles was seen at St Mary Magdalene Church service ahead of the big day.
Prince Andrew reportedly confirmed on Monday he had pulled out of the official festive celebrations and the Christmas Day church walk, and he is thought to be spending the festivities with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, MailOnline reports.
He had also cancelled his appearance at the pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
On Sunday, Charles appeared in good spirits as the greeted the members of the clergy in the churchyard.
It comes as the 76-year-old monarch is thought to be continuing his cancer treatment in the New Year.
When asked how he is doing at a community event in east London last week, he quipped: ‘I’m still alive.’
Palace sources told Sky News last week that his cancer treatment is ‘moving in a positive direction.’
It has been a difficult year for the royal family. Queen Camilla said it has been ‘a hell of a two years for them.’
Royal fans queue for hours outside church
The first fans arrived outside the Sandringham church yesterday and spent the night outside to get the best spot for royal watching.
One of them was John Loughrey, a retired chef from Wandsworth, south London, said he and Sky London had arrived with ‘sleeping bags with us and a heat pad’ the night before.
The 69-year-old royalist said: ‘It was a bit damp last night.
‘We came here for Catherine. She’s been an inspiration the last year what she’s been through.
‘We want to support her and her family.’
His cancer diagnosis was announced in February as the palace said he was starting a course of treatment.
Kate Middleton hosted her fourth Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey earlier this month which was officially aired on ITV yesterday.
Earlier details of the closely guarded event revealed a heartwarming moment between Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte as they lit their commemorative candles.
It marked a major return to royal duties for the Princess of Wales after she completed chemotherapy following her diagnosis shortly after Charles’s health announcement.
Queen Camilla has been recovering after being ill with pneumonia last month. She attended the 50th anniversary of Women’s Aid in early December where she expressed her determination to continue her campaigning against domestic violence.
As for the royal Christmas dishes this year, Charles has brought turkey back on the menu after briefly introducing a vegan Christmas lunch at his private Highgrove residence.
He has also stripped Cadbury chocolate of its Royal Warrant – along with several other famous brands such as Champagne Veuve Clicquot, Unilever and Champagne Lanson – suggesting that the King might continue on the health path he is on which includes daily exercise and two days without meat each week.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, are reportedly spending Christmas in their California home with the two children Archie and Lilibet.
The pair revealed their festive greetings card last week showing a rare glimpse of their children and the highlights of their year.
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