Prince Philip, 96, led the way this morning as the royal family arrived at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, for a special Christmas Eve service.
The Duke of Edinburgh, with Prince Andrew by his side, looked in festive spirits as he strode past a small army of police officers at the royal estate.
Shortly after, the Queen, dressed in a pale blue skirt-suit and glamorous hat, was seen stepping out of her royal car to greet well-wishers who’d made the journey to see the royals assemble together ahead of celebrations at Sandringham tomorrow.
Closely behind him was Princess Anne, clad in an ankle-skimming coat in a yuletide red, who arrived with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence.
Dressed for the Norfolk chill, Prince Edward kept the cold away by putting his hands in his pockets, while his daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 14, gripped her hands together as she strode along pruposefully next to her father.
Princess Eugenie and Beatrice were also both in attendance, with Eugenie, 27, looking chic in a steel-grey coat and heels with a matching head-piece.
Prince Philip, wearing a warm brown wool coat arrives for the church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the royal Sandringham estate this morning. Prince Andrew walked closely beside his father as they made their way to the traditional service
The Queen offers a cheering smile to the hundreds of people gathered behind barriers – including many children – at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate. Her Majesty, 91, looked elegant in a pale blue ensemble as she stepped out of the royal car
Princess Eugenie, 27 looked chic in a steel-grey coat and heels with a matching head-piece
Merry Christmas! The royals, including Princess Beatrice, smiled at well-wishers gathered amid tight security at the royal estate this morning
The stylish 29-year-old royal opted for a burgundy woolen coat and matching sandals with a platform heel
Well, it is Christmas! Princess Anne opts for a very festive red coat and hat, keeping out the Norfolk chill with the ankle-skimming design
Meanwhile, her older sister, Beatrice, 29, also opted for a seasonal colour, wearing a plum-coloured knee length coat with platform-heeled sandals.
While the festive cheer may be in full swing, security was still exceptionally tight at St. Mary Magdalene Church.
A line of police officers were seen giving full body checks to members of the public in the grounds of the royal Sandringham estate.
Hundreds of well-wishers joined the throng outside the church this morning with expectations raised this year by a possible glimpse of Meghan Markle.
It was confirmed by Kensington Palace earlier this month that Meghan would join the royal family on Christmas day
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘You can expect to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms Markle at Sandringham on Christmas Day.’
Christmas at Sandringham is likely to be the first of many for the American, who will wed Harry on May 19th in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Prince Edward kept the chill away by putting his hands in his pockets, while his daughter Lady Louise Windsor gripped her hands together as she strode along pruposefully
Tight security: Members of the public are searched by police officers as they arrive at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, to see members of the royal family attend morning church service
A small army of police officers were at the Sandringham estate this morning ahead of the royal arrivals; a female officer raises a smile as she chats with one of the many people gathered to catch a glimpse of the family as they arrive for church