Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice attended the Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham estate in a public show of support by the royal family.
The daughters of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson chose to spend Christmas with the wider royal family at Sandringham rather than at Royal Lodge with their father. Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, retain their titles within the House of York despite their father, 65, being stripped of all his titles.
Their presence, alongside their respective husbands Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank, shows they retain the support of the King and other key members of the royal household.
There was no sign of Andrew or Sarah on the walk. They last attended in 2023 but have been frozen out over their relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew will be moving from Royal Lodge to his new home on the Sandringham estate next year.
Princess Beatrice after the service with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie, centre
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The Princess of Wales greeted royalists along the walk
The King and Queen led the family out of St Mary Magdalene Church after the hour-long service, which had begun at 11am. Those present included the Prince and Princess of Wales and their young family, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Zara Tindall, her husband, Mike, and their three children were also there.
All attendees dressed smartly. The Queen wore a red coat with accompanying hat and the Princess of Wales was in an autumnal brown tartan coat and a scarf.
Mike, Lena and Zara Tindall, with the Prince of Wales to their rear
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Royals including the Waleses and Edinburghs were greeted by the Rev Canon Dr Paul Williams on the church steps. The service included the national anthem and hymns including O Come, All Ye Faithful.
On the way out, the family met well-wishers, with George, Charlotte and Louise receiving handfuls of gifts. The Princess of Wales had many in-depth conversations with the public and held a bouquet of flowers that was given to her.
George, 12, and Louis, seven, clutched soft toys. Charlotte, ten, could be seen reaching over to collect a present, and she hugged a woman in a wheelchair who was wrapped in a blanket to keep warm.
Some brought gifts for George, Louis and Charlotte
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The Christmas gathering in Norfolk is a tradition dating to 1870. Queen Victoria bought the estate for her eldest son for his 21st birthday eight years earlier, and ownership has since been passed to the King.
Many royalists camped overnight near the church in the hope of meeting the King and the family. Some told broadcasters they had come from as far as Texas and Canada.
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After the service the royals returned to Sandringham House for lunch. The King’s Christmas message is broadcast at 3pm.
This year it was recorded at the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey.