The festive spirit was palpable at Sandringham as the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by King Charles and Queen Camilla, charmed the enthusiastic royal supporters gathered to catch a glimpse of them on Christmas Day. Leading the way for other senior royals, they waved to the adoring crowds who had assembled for the occasion.

Prince William and Princess Kate were not alone; they were joined by their children, Prince George, aged 12, Princess Charlotte, aged 10, and the youngest, Prince Louis, who is seven. The family’s presence added a warm touch to the holiday gathering.

The Princess of Wales turned heads with her elegant ensemble, donning a brown tweed jacket that perfectly captured the autumnal vibe. Her look was completed with a silk scarf and a chic designer hat that added to her sophisticated appearance.

Queen Camilla embraced the festive mood with her choice of attire—a vibrant red overcoat paired with a stylish hat. She walked alongside a beaming King Charles on what was a sunny yet brisk Thursday morning, as they led the family procession to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Inside the church, the royals participated in an hour-long service, a cherished tradition before they gathered for a lunch hosted by the monarch himself. This royal luncheon is a highlight of their Christmas celebrations.

The presence of the King’s nieces, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, also caught the attention of onlookers. Their attendance was a delightful surprise, especially amid speculation that they might spend the holiday elsewhere, and even in the absence of their parents.

The King’s younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former wife Sarah Ferguson are off the guest list after becoming mired in scandal following revelations about their involvement with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The hope of catching a glimpse of the youngsters on their walk to church is a major draw for royal fans who gather close to the church in Sandringham every year. 

Other expected family members include the King’s other brother Prince Edward with his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, son James Viscount Severn, 17, and daughter Lady Louise, 22.

Meanwhile Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence are on the guest list, alongside daughter Zara and son-in-law Mike Tindall and their three children Mia, 11, Lena, seven, and Lucas, four.

Kate beamed a wide smile as she arrived at Sandringham with Princess Charlotte, 10

Camilla wore a festively red overcoat and stylish hat as she walked alongside King Charles

Kate and William were joined by their children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven

Queen Camilla appeared in a jovial mood as she made her way towards the church service

The monarch led other members of his family while royal well-wishers smiled and waved 

Anne’s son Peter Phillips will also attend with his two daughters Savannah and Isla.

Earlier this year, Peter announced his engagement to girlfriend Harriet Sperling. 

Now the rule that only married couples can attend has been relaxed, it’s very likely she too has been asked by King Charles to join the family. She has already met the King and Queen and members of the wider family at events such as Royal Ascot. 

The royals were watched on by a legion of fans, some of whom had been queuing for hours to catch a glimpse of the family. 

First in the queue outside Sandringham’s War Memorial gates was 70-year-old John Loughrey, who secured his place at 9pm last night.

Mr Loughrey, from Wandsworth, south west London, spent the night sat on a fold-up chair outside the gates and said: ‘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.’

Kate warmly smiled at the crowds who had turned out to see the royal family walk to the church

Kate looked tenderly at her daughter as they walked hand-in-hand towards the service

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were in attendance at the church service

Royal fans were delighted to see the King’s niece amid rumours she and her sister would celebrate Christmas elsewhere this year

Princess Anne’s daughter Zara and son-in-law Mike Tindall with their daughter Lena, seven

King Charles’s sister Princess Anne walked just ahead of Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank

Mr Loughrey came armed with a portrait he painted of himself, which he hoped to pass on to Prince William.

‘I have met him [many] times before,’ Mr Loughrey said.

‘I last saw William at the Centrepoint homeless charity a few weeks ago and told him I would bring a special gift for him to Sandringham.’

A few people behind Mr Loughrey in the queue were American husband and wife Margie and Jeff Brooks, their daughter Elizabeth Brooks, 29, and her husband Caleb Brewer, 30.

Mrs Brooks, 62, from Fort Worth, Texas, said: ‘This is the centrepiece of our week-long holiday.

‘We came up from London yesterday and go back there this afternoon.

‘We all like the royals, especially [our daughter] Elizabeth’.

The 29-year-old was dressed under layers and in a bobble hat as she struggled to keep warm, but said: ‘Apparently its 80 degrees (Fahrenheit – 26.6C) back home, but I wouldn’t miss this.’

The King’s brother Prince Edward smiled towards the crowds as his niece’s husband, Mike Tindall, appeared in high spirits behind him

Lady Louise Windsor dazzled in a powder pink overcoat and stylish hat for the occasion

Fans were delighted to see so many members of the royal family reunited for Christmas

Mr Brooks, 63, said: ‘I went to London for Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 because I was studying in Oxford at the time.’

Also in the queue were royal watchers from Israel and also Canada.

Noele Fowler, 65, and husband David, 66, were treating their daughter Jackie, 35, to a trip to Sandringham for her Christmas present.

The family, from Toronto, Ontario, are spending a week in the UK and have combined 48 hours in Norfolk with visiting relatives in Guildford, Surrey.

Jackie said: ‘I’ve always been interested in royal history, starting with the Tudors. This is such a treat to be here.’

Miroslav Kyovbashev, 49, and wife Evelina, 44, travelled from nearby King’s Lynn to see the Royal Family with son Philip, aged six.

Bulgarian Mr Kyovbashev said: ‘We’ve lived in the UK for 20 years and come here every year. We don’t have anything like this in Bulgaria.’

Dane Tina Thun, 56, who lives in Wereham, Norfolk, attended with her sister-in-law Dorthe Dreijr, 52, who was visiting from Copenhagen.

Royal superfan John Loughrey, 70, from Wandsworth, south west London, spent the night sat on a fold-up chair outside the gates to be the first in the queue

A few people behind Mr Loughrey in the queue were American husband and wife Margie and Jeff Brooks, their daughter Elizabeth Brooks, 29, and her husband Caleb Brewer, 30

Noele Fowler, 65, and husband David, 66, from Toronto, Ontario, were treating their daughter Jackie, 35, to a trip to Sandringham for her Christmas present

Loyal fans braved icy temperatures to queue for hours and catch a glimpse of the family

Mrs Thun said: ‘It was nice to be here, but we struggled to get a good view of them -they need to put in tiered seating like they have at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo!’

Among those not attending this year are Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, who have been told they are not welcome at celebrations after a drip-feed of revelations about their involvement with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

It will be the second year running that the King’s brother and his ex-wife have not attended. Last year, they pulled out of the celebrations just 10 days before Christmas after Andrew’s links to alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo, came to light.

The former couple will spend one last Christmas hunkered down at the Royal Lodge, which they will vacate at some point next year.