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Royal Family attends Christmas Day service
King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined members of the Royal Family at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas morning, continuing a long-standing tradition.
Public engagement and festive greetings
Following the service, the King, Queen, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their children-Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis-spent time greeting crowds gathered outside. The young royals interacted directly with well-wishers, accepting gifts including Christmas cards, flowers, and chocolates.
Princess Catherine was seen holding bouquets presented to her while engaging in conversations with attendees. The family's appearance drew visitors from across the UK, Europe, and the US, some of whom had queued since Christmas Eve.
Notable attendees and absences
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, daughters of the Duke of York, attended with their husbands, as did the Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Tindall, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. However, the Duke of York, formerly Prince Andrew, was not present.
In October, King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles amid renewed scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace confirmed Andrew will vacate Royal Lodge in Windsor and relocate to a private property on the Sandringham estate in the new year.
Tradition and the King's Christmas message
The Sandringham service, a staple of the royal calendar since 1988, precedes the King's annual Christmas broadcast. This year's message, filmed in Westminster Abbey, is expected to reflect on life's "pilgrimage" and its lessons for contemporary issues. It will air at 15:00 GMT.
Earlier in December, King Charles shared positive updates about his health following cancer treatment. On Christmas Eve, a pre-recorded piano duet featuring Princess Catherine and Princess Charlotte was broadcast as part of a carol concert.
Service details and royal schedule
The family arrived at the church shortly before 11:00 GMT, where Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams greeted them. The service was relayed to crowds outside via speakers, who later had the chance to meet the royals as they emerged around midday.
