Mum hopes royal picture will pay for university

It is the picture every photographer wanted to get.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle were snapped beaming as they walked to St Mary Magdalene Church, on the Sandringham estate, for the Christmas Day service yesterday.

This candid photo of the royal ‘fab four’ has been shared thousands of times on social media and has appeared on websites and in newspapers around the world.

But the image was not taken by a professional photographer. Instead it is the work of single mother Karen Anvil, 39, from Watlington, Norfolk, who was among the dozens of well-wishers who gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals yesterday morning.  

Ms Anvil described how she was able to grab the royals’ attention by screaming like a ‘fan-girl’ and is now hoping the money she makes from it will help pay for 17-year-old daughter Rachel’s university fees.  

The Fab Four: This picture taken by an onlooker shows Prince William and Kate Middleton walking hand-in-hand – alongside ‘couple of the moment’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they arrived at the church on Monday morning 

Single mother Karen Anvil, 39, from Watlington, Norfolk, said she now hopes money from the photo will help pay for her 17-year-old daughter Rachel's university fees. Pictured, Ms Anvil with her daughter Rachel 

Single mother Karen Anvil, 39, from Watlington, Norfolk, said she now hopes money from the photo will help pay for her 17-year-old daughter Rachel’s university fees. Pictured, Ms Anvil with her daughter Rachel 

Speaking to the BBC, she said: ‘I’m just very bubbly by nature and I was with my daughter and I got a bit excitable, I suppose.

‘I was just sort of shouting and I just went “Merry Christmas!” like an idiot. I was fan-girling. That’s all I said and got them to look.’

Ms Anvil, who waited in the cold with daughter Rachel, shared the image on Twitter and was shocked when it quickly swept the web. 

She explained that at first she allowed people to use the image for free before realising there was the potential to earn some money. 

Followers and other Twitter users started commenting on the picture, telling Ms Anvil she could charge for its use. 

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are pictured bowing and curtsying to the Queen – while Prince Philip looks on ahead of Christmas Day Church Service in Sandringham

Meghan Markle kept a tight grip on Prince Harry’s arm as they left St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. As she prepared to curtsy for the Queen, Meghan seemed nervous and sought comfort from Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge 

Follow my lead: Meghan looks to future sister-in-law Kate Middleton and Prince William outside the church

Follow my lead: Meghan looks to future sister-in-law Kate Middleton and Prince William outside the church

Harry seemed to mutter some words of advice as the Queen and Prince Phillip prepared for their departure. Meghan nodded back, sure of the plan 

Harry seemed to mutter some words of advice as the Queen and Prince Phillip prepared for their departure. Meghan nodded back, sure of the plan 

She turned her smile back on as they prepared for to curtsy for the Queen and Prince Philip 

She turned her smile back on as they prepared for to curtsy for the Queen and Prince Philip 

The Duchess of Cambridge showed Meghan how it was done as they curtsied for the Queen at the Christmas Day service

The Duchess of Cambridge showed Meghan how it was done as they curtsied for the Queen at the Christmas Day service

Meghan quickly reached for Harry's arm once the Queen was settled in her car. She was instantly more at ease and returned to small talk with Prince William . Harry reverted to his 'paperclip' hand gesture, stuffing his hand in his coat, which body language experts said was a way of comforting himself 

Meghan quickly reached for Harry’s arm once the Queen was settled in her car. She was instantly more at ease and returned to small talk with Prince William . Harry reverted to his ‘paperclip’ hand gesture, stuffing his hand in his coat, which body language experts said was a way of comforting himself 

Ms Anvil said she will put any money she earns towards paying for Rachel’s education. 

She added: ‘The thing is – and I hate to play the single mum card – I’m a single parent, I work two jobs, which I’m proud of and I’ve always worked.

‘Now I want to save money for my daughter for uni and if I can do that, and can get that opportunity that’s amazing.’

Job done: With her curtsy behind her, she followed Prince Harry into the crowds to meet a woman who had waited in a wheelchair in the cold to meet them

Job done: With her curtsy behind her, she followed Prince Harry into the crowds to meet a woman who had waited in a wheelchair in the cold to meet them

Well-wishers were overjoyed to see the newest Royal couple stepping out with each other for Christmas Day

Well-wishers were overjoyed to see the newest Royal couple stepping out with each other for Christmas Day

Among the well-wishers was Judith Wallis, who was sitting in a wheelchair and is staying at the neighbouring Park House Hotel on her first Christmas Day visit to Sandringham

Among the well-wishers was Judith Wallis, who was sitting in a wheelchair and is staying at the neighbouring Park House Hotel on her first Christmas Day visit to Sandringham



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