King Charles joins Princess Anne for Sunday church service in Sandringham after internet hosting his ‘greatest ever’ household Christmas
King Charles and Princess Anne wrapped up warm in thick winter coats as they attended a Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham today.
The monarch, 76, and Queen Camilla have spent the Christmas period in Norfolk with members of the Royal Family, who joined them for a Christmas Day walkabout.
But it was only King Charles and his younger sister Princess Anne, 74, who arrived for the Sunday morning service today – and they both appeared to be in high spirits.
Dozens of well-wishers had gathered in Sandringham to greet the royals, who typically spend the festive season at the sprawling Norfolk estate.
Charles and Anne stopped briefly to speak to Reverend Canon Paul Williams outside St Mary Magdalene church this morning, before heading inside.
The King staved off the cold in a thick winter coat, which he paired with tailored trousers – and he carried an umbrella in case of a downpour.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne was wrapped up warm in a thick skirt and jacket co-ord.
She paired this with black suede boots, and opted for a matching dark blue hat and bright red scarf to keep out the cold.
King Charles and Princess Anne wrapped up warm in thick winter coats as they attended a Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham today
Charles hosted no fewer than 45 people at his private estate in Norfolk on Christmas Day, including his eldest son Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children – George, Charlotte and Louis.
The Wales’ joined King Charles and Queen Camilla for the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene church this year, and stopped to chat to well-wishers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals.
Ahead of Christmas Day, the Prince of Wales said he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 members of his family ‘all in one room’ as he attended a seasonal event for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, at Bulford, Wiltshire.
Those invited to Sandringham this year enjoyed a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family’s own making.
Members of The Firm opened their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family’s German origins.
They typically lay out their gifts on trestle tables and exchange them at teatime – and are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts.
King Charles hosted no fewer than 45 people at his private estate in Norfolk on Christmas Day
Charles and Anne stopped briefly to speak to Reverend Canon Paul Williams outside St Mary Magdalene church this morning, before heading inside
The Royal Family at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham on Christmas Day
For instance, Prince William reportedly gave his late grandmother a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, however, opted for something safer for Queen Elizabeth – a jar of homemade chutney. They then don black tie for a dinner on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, the Royals attended the service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they were greeted by well-wishers, before returning for a traditional lunch of roast turkey and all the trimmings.
They sit down ready to eat at 1.15pm sharp, according to Queen Elizabeth II‘s former chef Darren McGrady, who catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 1980s and 1990s.
in the evening, they are said to play parlour games including charades and bingo.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Sandringham for the Christmas Day festivities
