Prince George and Princess Charlotte join royals at church

Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte joined future kings Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George as they walked to church on Christmas Day.

George, six, and four-year-old Charlotte walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church hand in hand with their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Prince of Wales walked alongside them but one-year-old Prince Louis stayed at the house.

The five were captured attending the service by Karen Anvil, who took a brilliant picture of the Cambridges and Sussexes two years ago.

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The Prince of Wales with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. This picture was taken by Karen Anvil who two years ago took a famous photo of the Cambridges and Sussexes

The Prince of Wales walked alongside the Cambridges but one-year-old Prince Louis stayed back home at Sandringham. This pictured was taken by Ms Anvil

George and his father William

The Prince of Wales (left, taken by Ms Anvil) walked alongside the Cambridges (right) but one-year-old Prince Louis stayed back home at Sandringham

George, six, and four-year-old Charlotte walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church hand in hand with their parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

George, six, and four-year-old Charlotte walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church hand in hand with their parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Prince Charles walked alongside them but was spotted with younger brother Prince Andrew earlier in the day. Pictured: Prince William, Kate, and Prince George today

Prince Charles walked alongside them but was spotted with younger brother Prince Andrew earlier in the day. Pictured: Prince William, Kate, and Prince George today

Prince George looks sheepish in his navy blazer, jumper and tie as he grips his father's hand alongside sister Charlotte

Prince George looks sheepish in his navy blazer, jumper and tie as he grips his father’s hand alongside sister Charlotte

The Cambridges outside church today

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Charlotte

Princess Charlotte appeared to get a dressing down from her mother Kate outside church this morning (left and right)

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Catherine stand with Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cornwall

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Catherine stand with Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cornwall

Kate Middleton meets the public

Charlotte accepts a doll as a gift from a member of the public

A woman who gave Charlotte a gift told Sky News: ‘She came over with her mum, she liked the doll. Her manners are outstanding – but she’s cheeky, she wasn’t at all scared.’ She said Prince George’s manners were also ‘perfect’

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte and Prince George leave the St Mary Magdalene's church after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte and Prince George leave the St Mary Magdalene’s church after the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service

Prince William, Catherine, Princess Charlotte and Prince George greet people as they leave the St Mary Magdalene's church

Prince William, Catherine, Princess Charlotte and Prince George greet people as they leave the St Mary Magdalene’s church

Charlotte pulls on her mother Catherine's arm as she leaves the church in Norfolk on Christmas Day. The Queen and Duches of Cornwall are in the foreground

Charlotte pulls on her mother Catherine’s arm as she leaves the church in Norfolk on Christmas Day. The Queen and Duches of Cornwall are in the foreground

The youngster holds a blown up pink flamingo as she meets the adoring public following the Christmas service today

The Cambridges stand on the road near St Mary Magdalene's church after the Royal Family's Christmas Day service

The Cambridges stand on the road near St Mary Magdalene’s church after the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service

Princess Charlotte smiles as she holds her mother's hand next to Prince George following the service on Christmas Day

Princess Charlotte smiles as she holds her mother’s hand next to Prince George following the service on Christmas Day

The Queen, 93, donned a fetching red hat and matching coat for the annual service at Sandringham

The Queen, 93, donned a fetching red hat and matching coat for the annual service at Sandringham 

The Queen leaves after the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church

The Queen leaves after the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church

After screaming to attract attention, Ms Anvil, who had two jobs at the time, snapped this candid picture of the 'fab four' that was quickly distributed to publications around the world

After screaming to attract attention, Ms Anvil, who had two jobs at the time, snapped this candid picture of the ‘fab four’ that was quickly distributed to publications around the world

Others attending the main morning service included Princess Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (pictured behind Prince Edward and the Wessex family)

Others attending the main morning service included Princess Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (pictured behind Prince Edward and the Wessex family)

Princess Eugenie holds a bouquet of flowers as she walks with husband Jack Brooksbank, whom she married last year

Princess Eugenie holds a bouquet of flowers as she walks with husband Jack Brooksbank, whom she married last year

Others attending the main morning service included Princess Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

The 93-year-old Queen, wearing a red coat and hat, arrived at the church in a maroon Bentley with the Duchess of Cornwall.

Mother who took brilliant picture of the royal Fab Four two years ago strikes gold again

Karen Anvil from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, captured the Sussexes and Cambridges on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on her phone in 2017.

And this year she was on the scene again, snapping Prince William, Kate, George and Charlotte walking with Prince Charles ahead of the Christmas Day service.

Karen Anvil, left, had been waiting in the crowd with daughter Rachel, right, two years ago when she took the picture of the Fab Four

Karen Anvil, left, had been waiting in the crowd with daughter Rachel, right, two years ago when she took the picture of the Fab Four

She said she was delighted to see the young members of the Royal family – and even handed ‘cheeky’ Charlotte a gift.

Ms Anvil told Sky News: ‘She came over with her mum, she liked the doll. Her manners are outstanding – but she’s cheeky, she wasn’t at all scared.’

She added in a tweet: ‘She is a little monkey!!! I love her!’

The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, who was discharged from hospital on Christmas Eve, was at Sandringham but did not attend church.

He had spent four nights at the King Edward VII Hospital in London to receive treatment for a ‘pre-existing condition’.

Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, did not attend last year’s church service either despite being in good health at the time.

The Duke of York, who has had a tumultuous end to the year after his disastrous appearance on the BBC’s Newsnight programme, walked side by side with Charles to a service at 9am but did not attend the 11am service.

Andrew’s attempt to explain his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein backfired and he was heavily criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and remorse over his friendship with the disgraced financier.

The beleaguered Duke of York cut a solemn figure as he walked alongside Prince Charles on what is his first public outing since his controversial Newsnight interview.

In recent months the Duke of York has stepped back from royal duties and been dropped by a number of charities in the furore that followed his BBC interview and friendship with the paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

But the brothers walked side-by-side as they headed into St Mary Magdalene Church for the 9am service.

The Queen was driven to her Norfolk estate this morning without her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, who was discharged from hospital in London yesterday. 

The Earl of Wessex and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor also strolled into St Mary Magdalene Church together.

Hundreds of well-wishers have been queuing since the early hours to catch a glimpse of members of the royal family, and waved excitedly as the Queen left with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and was driven to the royal family’s traditional 11am service.

Today is the first time the younger royals have attended, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte going into church alongside their parents, William and Kate. At six and four they are now old enough to sit through the service.

Andrew’s daughter Princess Beatrice was also joined by fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi for the first time at the church.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York arriving to attend the church service

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York arriving to attend the church service

Wearing a fur coat and silk head scarf, Her Majesty arrived at her Norfolk estate this morning

Wearing a fur coat and silk head scarf, Her Majesty arrived at her Norfolk estate this morning

The Earl of Wessex and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor strolled into St Mary Magdalene Church together

The Earl of Wessex and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor strolled into St Mary Magdalene Church together

Andrew and Fergie’s Christmas card makes thinly-veiled reference to Epstein scandal

 

If there is one person who might want to see the back of 2019, it is the Duke of York.

And it looks like he and ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, have made some not-so-thinly veiled references to it in their Christmas cards to family and friends.

Their festive tidings feature one image of one of their beloved Norfolk terriers nose-deep in a bush showing its rear end to the camera, with the caption: ‘Say Goodbye to 2019.’

Another photo shows what is believed to be the Queen’s Balmoral estate and a path through the Highlands, with the message: ‘We Look to the Road Ahead.’

Inside the white embossed card – also from daughters Beatrice, 31, and Eugenie, 29 – there is the printed message: ‘We are united with gratitude for your support and kindness, Thank you.’

The implication could not be any clearer – we are a family and we stand together, no matter what.

The message of unity follows Andrew’s disastrous interview with the BBC last month in which he tried to clear his name over the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

Last year, the Duke of York arrived for the service with his mother.  

Andrew stepped back from public life following November’s ‘car crash’ BBC interview in which he attempted to explain his friendship with Epstein.

He repeatedly denied claims that he had sex with one of the disgraced financier’s victims, Virginia Roberts, when she was just 17. Miss Roberts then accused him of lying.

The Queen’s second son also faced calls to speak to the FBI about his relationship with Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell in August awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

Andrew was effectively sacked by his mother after his older brother Charles warned her that the scandal threatened to engulf the monarchy.  

As the Queen is head of the Church of England, it is a key part of royal celebrations.

Following the service, the Windsors enjoy a festive lunch back at Sandringham House and then settle down together to watch the Queen’s Christmas Day speech.

In her broadcast to the nation and the Commonwealth, the Queen is to acknowledge the ‘bumpy’ path the royal family and the nation has experienced over the past 12 months.

But the biggest ‘bump’ faced by the Royal Family was the fallout from the Duke of York’s disastrous Newsnight interview about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 59, is expected to watch his mother’s televised broadcast to the nation with the rest of the family at Sandringham tomorrow.

She will say: ‘Small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.

‘The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.’

The comments are believed to be her first public reference to the turmoil faced by her family this year.

She dubbed 1992 an ‘annus horribilis’ in a speech to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession.

In that year Charles separated from Princess Diana, Andrew split from his wife Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips, and a fire engulfed Windsor Castle. 

Hundreds of people have been queuing overnight to catch a glimpse of the royals

Hundreds of people have been queuing overnight to catch a glimpse of the royals 

The Royal Family tweeted these images of the Queen's speeches from 2010-2018 this morning, with the caption: 'Merry Christmas everyone! Today marks the 68th Queen¿s Christmas speech and the last of the decade'

The Royal Family tweeted these images of the Queen’s speeches from 2010-2018 this morning, with the caption: ‘Merry Christmas everyone! Today marks the 68th Queen’s Christmas speech and the last of the decade’

Prince Charles and Camilla tweeted this photograph today, with the message: 'Wishing all our followers a very happy Christmas from Clarence House'

Prince Charles and Camilla tweeted this photograph today, with the message: ‘Wishing all our followers a very happy Christmas from Clarence House’

With of the 'bumpy' path the Royal Family and the nation has experienced in the past 12 months, it is likely to be more compelling viewing than ever.

With Her Majesty’s acknowledgement of the ‘bumpy’ path the Royal Family and the nation has experienced in the past 12 months, it is likely to be more compelling viewing than ever (pictured: making this year’s broadcast to the nation from Windsor Castle in Berkshire)

Princess Beatrice’s fiance is invited to Sandringham service

Princess Beatrice was given permission by the Queen to bring her fiance to Sandringham this year – and they even accompanied her to church on Christmas Day.

In a sign of solidarity with the beleaguered York family, the monarch extended a coveted invitation to her Norfolk estate to Beatrice’s partner, 36-year-old property tycoon Edoardo ‘Edo’ Mapelli Mozzi.

The gesture is also a sign of how the 93-year-old royal is moving with the times. Not so long ago it would have been unthinkable for the sovereign, who is also head of the Church of England, to have unmarried couples staying under her roof.

But, in 2017, convention was relaxed to allow Prince Harry to bring his then-fiancee Meghan Markle to stay at the Queen’s estate for the festive season.

It is understood the Queen, like many senior royals, has felt desperately sorry for Beatrice, 31, who announced her engagement in September after a short romance but has seen her happiness overshadowed by the ongoing fallout from her father’s friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his disastrous interview on BBC2’s Newsnight programme. 

Although the Duke of Edinburgh was discharged from hospital on Christmas Eve, he has not attended the church service on the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk today.

The duke was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London on Friday and spent four nights undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ongoing health issue.

The 98-year-old, who received minor injuries after being involved in a car crash near the estate in January, missed the service at St Mary Magdalene Church last year to stay at home, despite being in good health at the time.

It is also unlikely that the Duke of York will arrive with the Queen, as he did in 2018, amid the fallout from a disastrous television interview about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew stepped down from public duties for the foreseeable future following his appearance on BBC Newsnight, when he was heavily criticised for showing little remorse over his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein.

In the interview, the duke denied claims he slept with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions.

In another departure from last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not walk into the church side by side with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Harry and Meghan will be celebrating Archie Mountbatten-Windsor’s first festive season with the duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, instead of joining the royal family’s traditional celebration in Norfolk.

Their choice to spend Christmas away from Sandringham follows claims of a rift, first between Meghan and Kate, which appeared to have been been quashed as they arrived together at last year’s service, and then between Harry and brother William.

In an ITV television documentary broadcast in October, Harry, when asked about the situation, said he loved his brother dearly but they were ‘on different paths at the moment’. 

Prince William is pictured kissing Prince Louis in adorable new photograph of the family taken by the Duchess of Cambridge 

 

The Duchess of Cambridge has taken an adorable new family photograph of Prince William kissing Prince Louis on the cheek.

The black and white photo shows the Duke of Cambridge with their youngest child, while Princess Charlotte and Prince George look towards the camera.

The duke wears a flat cap as he holds on closely to his son in the photo, which was taken by the duchess, a keen photographer, earlier this year in Norfolk.

Princess Charlotte also appears to be holding on to her younger brother as she stands behind him, while Prince George sits next to them in a chair as he cheekily smirks at the camera.

 

This is not the first time Kate, one of the world’s most photographed people, has gone behind the lens and released her own pictures.

The duchess was named as the new patron of the Royal Photographic Society earlier this year following her flourishing passion in photography.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wish their Instagram fans Merry Christmas from Canada – as they shun service at Sandringham with the rest of the royals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have wished their Instagram followers a happy Christmas from Canada amid clamour for them to return home and join the embattled Royals at Sandringham.

At 9am – which would have been the early hours across the Atlantic where the couple are still thought to be – they wrote: ‘Wishing you all a very merry Christmas – their Royal Highness the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.’

The post, which was accompanied by emojis of a Christmas tree, Santa and a snowman, came as the Queen and other members of the Royal Family prepared to head to church in Sandringham.

Harry and Meghan have stonewalled calls for them to cut short their six-week trip and return home in the wake of Prince Philip’s spell in hospital.

Prince Harry and Meghan have wished their scores of Instagram followers a happy Christmas

American actress Janina Gavankar was asked by her friend Meghan Markle to take the image for the card which shows her and husband Prince Harry with their seven-month-old son Archie in the foreground

American actress Janina Gavankar was asked by her friend Meghan Markle to take the image for the card which shows her and husband Prince Harry with their seven-month-old son Archie in the foreground

Last month, the Sussexes and eight-month-old Archie secretly flew to Canada for a holiday.

Since then, the Royals have endured a tough time as Prince Andrew continues to bunker down amid a swirling storm over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Philip recovers from a four-night stint in the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London.

Some in the Family have privately urged Harry and Meghan to jet back to show support, according to the Sun.

But the couple is seemingly staying put in North America and is ignoring calls for their return.

The couple have missed the Queen’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace and will miss the monarch’s annual get together at her private Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

It comes after a family Christmas card of the royal couple smiling in front of a Christmas tree, with Archie’s adorable face staring down the camera lens, was revealed.

The Duchess, a former actress, lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits, and the couple were famously pictured together when Meghan joined her then-boyfriend Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in the Canadian city.

Buckingham Palace had previously announced the Sussexes intended to take a six-week break from duties and would not spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk