London24NEWS

Royals LIVE: Crowds collect in Sandringham for glimpse of King Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate forward of Christmas Day service

Advertisement

Royal fans are gathering in Sandringham on Christmas Day to catch a glimpse of King Charles and his family as they attend the traditional church service.

Crowds have steadily built on the Norfolk estate this morning with some watchers arriving last night to get prime position when the family arrive.

The King and Queen will head to St Mary Magdalene Church accompanied by members of the Royal Family at 11am before Charles’ speech is broadcast to the nation this afternoon.

Follow latest updates below

Inside a royal Christmas Day – what happens and when?

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 6: The Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 in London, England. The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with other members of the Royal Family, attended the annual carol service. Led by The Princess and supported by The Royal Foundation, the event offered a chance to pause and reflect on the profound values of love, compassion, and the vital connections we shareâ¿"particularly during life's most challenging moments. The service also highlighted remarkable individuals from across the UK who have demonstrated extraordinary kindness, empathy, and support within their communities. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William revealed last week he will spend Christmas with 45 members of his family ‘all in one room’.

Those invited to Sandringham can look forward to a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family’s own making.

Members of The Firm open their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family’s German origins.

They 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.

The following day, the Royals attend the service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they are 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.

On Christmas night, they are said to play parlour games including charades and bingo.

Crowds gather in Sandringham before royals head to church

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Victoria Jones/Shutterstock (15022990a) Royal fans queue at Sandringham ahead of the Christmas Day church service Christmas Day church service, St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, Norfolk, UK - 25 Dec 2024

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the Royal Family on Christmas Day as crowds gather in Sandringham to catch a glimpse of King Charles.

Royal fans have been amassing in Norfolk since the early hours to see the family head to the traditional church service this morning.

The King and Queen will head to St Mary Magdalene Church accompanied by members of the Royal Family at 11am before Charles’ speech is broadcast to the nation this afternoon.

We will bring you the latest updates from the royals from throughout the day plus the best pictures and videos.

And… Merry Christmas!

Key Updates

  • Inside a royal Christmas Day – what happens and when?
  • Crowds gather in Sandringham before royals head to church

TOP STORIES