King Charles and Queen Camilla are joined by right-hand man Major Johnny Thompson and Anne at Sandringham before William and Kate tomorrow… while Harry and Meghan stay away again
Christmas celebrations have begun in earnest for the royal family, with King Charles and Queen Camilla attending a traditional church service on Christmas Eve in preparation for the extended family gathering.
The 75-year-old monarch looked festive as he greeted well-wishers as he headed to St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Sandringham this morning, accompanied by Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Lawrence.
King Charles smiled warmly at the crowds who came to greet the royals at Sandringham Estate, with many taking photos of the royal entourage on their phones.
His trusted equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, was also at the monarch’s side.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, their children and other senior royals will join the King and Queen at the Norfolk estate, although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will celebrate on December 25 at their home in Los Angeles.
Queen Camilla’s children and grandchildren have been invited to Sandringham for the first time, with Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his younger sister Laura Lopez, 45, and their families heading to Norfolk.
Dressed in his favorite tweed coat, the monarch looked in good spirits as he headed towards St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Sandringham, walking alongside Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Lawrence.
The King was wearing his favorite tweed coat, believed to be in his 40s and from Savile Row, over a dark gray suit and brown suede shoes.
The King’s equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, was also present at the monarch’s side for the Christmas Eve service.
Queen Camilla held a bouquet of yellow roses given to her by a royal admirer outside the church as the couple returned from the service.
The King’s sister, the Princess Royal, is pictured leaving a church service on Christmas Eve.
The King shared a joke with the owner of two dogs dressed in Christmas puddings as he left St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Eve.
The monarch could not hide his interest when he noticed a couple of dogs in festive carnival costumes.
The King wore his favorite Savile Row tweed coat, believed to be around 40 years old, over a charcoal suit and brown suede shoes.
Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and a black feathered hat, walked behind the king, smiling at the families gathered to greet the royals.
Princess Anne, wearing a festive red coat and hat, navy tartan skirt and boots, chatted with her daughter-in-law as they strolled through rural Norfolk.
As he left the service around lunchtime, the king stopped to joke with the owner of two dogs dressed as Christmas puddings, clearly finding the festive outfits funny.
In what is likely to be the first of two visits in two days, a special service will be held on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, which was once visited by Queen Victoria and dates back to the 16th century.
Members of the royal family will spend Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, where Queen Camilla’s family will be invited this year.
King Charles smiled warmly at those who came to greet the royals at Sandringham Estate on Christmas Eve.
Princess Anne, in a red tartan suit, looks around at the assembled well-wishers as the family heads to the service.
Queen Camilla shakes hands with the Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Williams as she arrives, in front of Princess Anne and Sir Tim Lawrence.
It is believed to be the first time Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his younger sister Laura Lopez, 45, the Queen’s children with her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles, have been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham House.
In a November issue, ITV royal editor Chris Ship said this year’s guest list had been “radically changed” for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022 to accommodate Queen Camilla’s side of the family.
Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and black feathered hat, strolled behind the king, smiling at the assembled families.
The royal family usually maintains historical traditions throughout the festive period.
On Christmas Eve, the family lays out gifts on the table and exchanges gifts with each other while drinking tea.
Sandringham House, a country estate in Norfolk that was passed on to King Charles after the death of his mother, is the monarch’s favorite holiday destination.
The estate covers a whopping 20,000 acres and was originally purchased for Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark shortly before their wedding.
From well-wishers gathering in the church, mAnyone can give family Christmas cards and gifts.
Last year, a fan gave Prince Louis a feathered Santa toy, which he carried with him while his mother Kate spoke to a young girl who came out to say hello.
Umbrellas in hand, the King and Queen returned to their royal car, where a traditional family gift awaited their return to the Norfolk estate on Christmas Eve.
Festive handshake: The King smiles as he is greeted at the Christmas service
The royals will spend Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, with the Queen’s children joining the family for Christmas.
Princess Anne’s look: The king’s sister was in festive attire as she strolled alongside Camilla
Quite a crowd as families dressed for the winter weather took photos of the royals as they walked into a church service
For his Christmas outing, the king wore a taupe pinstripe suit and brown suede brogues.
Royal fans will have the chance to sing along with the Prince and Princess of Wales on Christmas Eve. Kate together in Christmas Carol Service goes live ITV at 19:45.
In a clip released ahead of the programme, Kate, 41, was seen surprising guests at a tea party after she quietly entered the secret London venue through a side door.
The princess entered through a side door to surprise the couple; Rico’s former football coach Russell Gray said the royal ‘knocked the air out of the room’
– Do you mind if I join you? Dressed in a very festive red dress, including her favorite Miu Miu jumper, the Princess of Wales leaves young footballer Rico stunned as she sits down at the festive table for tea.
The video shows teenage soccer player Rico, one of the guests who thought he was just reuniting with his childhood soccer coach Russell Gray, grinning widely as the princess reaches out to shake his hand.
Kate, wearing a £1,350 red Miu Miu cardigan and matching red trousers, surprised hard-working adults in the childcare industry with a tea party – in a special set to be shown ahead of the Royal Family’s televised Christmas concert.