The royal family in 2023: a look at some of the key stories from the first full year of the King’s reign
The King and Queen are to celebrate Christmas Day alongside other members of the royal family at Sandringham.
Charles and Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
The King and Queen waved to well-wishers while attending a Christmas Eve service at the church on Sunday.
Royal Christmases traditionally feature the greeting of people outside the church, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.
Sandringham House has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs for more than 160 years, and now belongs to the King.
Charles’s second Christmas message will be broadcast at 3pm and was recorded in the Centre Room in Buckingham Palace which leads on to the royal residence’s iconic balcony.
The room is decorated with a living Christmas tree which will be replanted after the broadcast.
From its branches hang natural and sustainable decorations including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, glass baubles, pine cones and paper.
Prince and Princess of Wales hold hands with family at Christmas morning service
And in a touching moment, Zara and Mike Tindall’s eldest daughter Mia held hands with Louis, who in turn held his father’s hand.
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 13:43
Duchess of York joins royal Christmas service at Sandringham
The former royal, who has had a troubled relationship with the monarchy, was pictured, smiling, and glancing towards the waiting media as she walked beside her ex-husband, the disgraced Duke of York.
It has been decades since Sarah made the short walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church with royals – normally reserved for close family – but in recent years it is thought she has been a guest for Christmas lunch.
She has won plaudits in recent months for her battle with breast cancer, praised for speaking openly about her treatment and setting an example for other women to get screened.
It is thought the last time she was pictured walking to church with Queen Elizabeth was in the early 1990s.
Sarah, Duchess of York attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church (Joe Giddens/PA)
(PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 13:30
In pictures: Royals attend Christmas morning church service
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Princess Charlotte and Prince William
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 13:13
King Charles meets crowds after church service
King Charles III meets well-wishers after attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 13:10
Princess of Wales meets well-wishers after attending church service
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:46
Disgraced Prince Andrew also in attendance at church with family
Andrew’s alleged links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will come under further scrutiny in the new year with the release of hundreds of files from a defamation case, after a ruling by a US judge.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York appeared in public at Sandringham for the first time in years, walking beside her ex-husband and smiling broadly at the press.
Andrew’s daughters were with their husbands, Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank.
(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:40
King Charles and Queen Camilla lead exit from church after Christmas morning service
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:23
Sarah Ferguson appears to gather gifts from well-wishers
Some travelled all the way from the US while others brought gifts for Sarah Ferguson. The royal was pictured with gift bags and bouquets of flowers as she left the church.
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
(Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:20
Royal family attend Christmas Day service at Sandringham
Royal fans gathered as the Prince and Princess of Wales walked hand in hand with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis from Sandringham house on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church.
They walked behind the King and Queen, who were greeted by about a thousand local residents, many of whom had waited hours on Christmas morning to catch a glimpse of the family.
For the second year in succession the disgraced Duke of York walked from Sandringham to church with the family.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York appeared in public at Sandringham for the first time in years, walking beside her ex-husband and smiling broadly at the press.
Andrew’s daughters were with their husbands, Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank.
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:13
Prince William and Princess Kate leave church service with children
(Samir Hussein/WireImage)
(Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Maira Butt25 December 2023 12:09
