The Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Diana seen at Sandringham in 1980s in rediscovered photos

Newly unearthed photographs capture the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by their children and grandchildren on family outings to church more than 30 years ago. 

The snaps, taken by amateur photographer Edward Jackson in the late 1980s, show the Queen and Prince Philip with all four of their children, their partners, and a handful of grandchildren at St Mary Magdalene Church, on the Sandringham estate, in Norfolk. 

One photo, taken on Christmas Day in 1988, show Princess Diana, smiling over her shoulder as she walks side-by-side with Sarah Ferguson on their way out of church. 

Another shows the Queen speaking to her grandchildren Zara Phillips and Prince William, then aged seven and six, while Diana and Fergie chat in front of the church.  

Beaming: The Queen looks over her shoulder and smiles in a photo taken on the walk from the church to Sandringham House. By her side is her husband, Prince Philip, who shares in the moment. The photo is thought to have been taken in 1989

The people’s princess: Diana, radiant in a blue and black ensemble, walks side-by-side with Sarah Ferguson after attending church on Christmas Day, 1988. Leading the way is Prince Philip, who turns back to smile at his wife the Queen (in green) 

A separate image, taken on a different occasion, captures the Queen smiling at well-wishers while her husband stands close by. 

The photographs were discovered in Mr Jackson’s home by his family over Christmas, following his death in November at the age of 72. 

A keen amateur photographer, Mr Jackson lived nearby in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, and regularly visited Sandringham to photograph the Royal Family. He also photographed the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in the 1970s.

Mr Jackson’s family are submitting the photographs to the Kensington Palace appeal for amateur snaps of the Royal Family to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  

Nephew Stephen Jackson, 46, said: ‘My uncle always had two cameras hanging around his neck just in case one went wrong. He was always on the lookout for a good shot.

‘If Edward was still here he definitely would have sent some in. We’ve picked half a dozen to send through.’

Stylish: Diana wore a chic black coat with contrasting aqua cuffs and lapel, and a matching hat on Christmas Day 1988

It comes after the Queen left Windsor Castle for Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where she plans to spend the next two weeks.    

She and Prince Philip had the idea of turning what had been the home of the Sandringham resident doctor into a weekend bolthole for Prince Charles while he was a student at Cambridge University.

When Charles moved on, the Queen and Philip moved in, beginning a tradition that would continue for decades.

Whenever the royal couple wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of palace life, it was usually to the unassuming Wood Farm that they escaped.

Behind the lens: A keen amateur photographer, Edward Jackson lived nearby in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, and regularly visited Sandringham to photograph the Royal Family. Pictured, Mr Jackson with nephew Stephen (left) and out with his camera

And when the Duke of Edinburgh stood down from public duties in 2017, it was where he chose to spend his retirement — until the Covid-19 pandemic saw him reunite with his wife at Windsor, where he died last April.

She will remain on the estate until after February 6, accession day, which marks the 70th anniversary of the death of her father, George VI, who passed away in his sleep while at Sandringham.

The date also heralds the start of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which will culminate in a bank holiday extravaganza in June.