The royal family’s Christmas celebrations have begun in earnest, with King Charles and Queen Camilla heading to a traditional Christmas Eve church service as they prepare for an extended family gathering. 

The monarch, 75, looked in festive spirit as he offered well-wishers a cheery wave while striding towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham this morning, accompanied by Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence.

King Charles smiled warmly at the crowds who’d turned out to greet the royals at the Sandringham estate, with many of them taking photos on their phones of the royal entourage. 

Wearing his favourite tweed coat, the monarch looked in good spirits as he made his way towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, walking alongside Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence

The king was wearing his favourite tweed coat, thought to be around 40 years old and from Savile Row, over a slate grey suit, with brown suede shoes 

 The king was wearing his favourite tweed coat, thought to be around 40 years old and from Savile Row, over a slate grey suit, with brown suede shoes. 

Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and black feathered hat strolled behind the King, smiling at families who’d gathered to greet the royals. 

Princess Anne, in a festive red coat and hat with a navy tartan skirt and boots, chatted with her sister-in-law as they walked through rural Norfolk. 

It’s likely to be the first of two visits in two days, with a special service laid on at St Mary Magdalene church, once visited by Queen Victoria and dating back to the 16th century, on Christmas day. 

The royals will spend Christmas day and New Year at Sandringham House. 

King Charles smiled warmly at those who’d turned out to greet the royals at the Sandringham estate on Christmas Eve  

Princess Anne, in a red and tartan ensemble, looks back at gathered well-wishers as the family make their way into the service

Queen Camilla shakes the hand of Reverend Canon Dr Paul Williams as she arrives, with Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence looking on 

It’s likely the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children will join the King and Queen on the Norfolk estate for the festive period, along with other senior royals.

Queen Camilla’s children and grandchildren have, it’s thought, been invited to Sandringham to for the first time.

It’s thought to be the first time that Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his younger sister Laura Lopes, 45 – the Queen’s children by her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles, have been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham House.

Reporting in November, ITV Royal Editor Chris Ship said this year’s guest list has been ‘radically altered’ for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022 to accommodate Queen Camilla’s side of the family.

Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and black feathered hat strolled behind the King, smiling at families gathered

The royal family usually maintain historic traditions throughout the festive period. 

On Christmas Eve, the family lay out their presents on a table and exchange gifts with each other during teatime. 

Sandringham House, the country estate in Norfolk which was passed onto King Charles after the death of his mother, is the monarch’s favoured festive retreat.

The estate covers a whopping 20,000 acres and was originally bought for Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark, just before they married.

Of the well-wishers who gather at the church, many choose to give the family Christmas cards and gifts. 

One fan gave Prince Louis a feathered Santa toy last year, which he carried with him while his mother, Kate, spoke to a young girl who had come out to say hello. 

A festive handshake: the King smiles as he’s welcomed to the Christmas Eve service

The royals will spend Christmas day and New Year at Sandringham House, with the Queen’s children joining the family for Christmas Day

A glimpse of Princess Anne: the King’s sister wore a festive ensemble as she walked alongside Camilla

Quite a crowd: Families dressed for winter weather took photos of the royals as they walked to the church service

The king donned a slate grey pinstripe suite and brown suede brogues for the Christmas Eve outing

Royal fans will get a chance to sing along with the Prince and Princess of Wales on Christmas Eve, as Kate’s Together at Christmas Carol Service airs on ITV at 7:45pm.

In a clip shared ahead of the programme, Kate, 41, was seen surprising guests at a festive tea party, after quietly entering a secret London venue through a side door. 

The Princess arrived through a side door to surprise the pair; Rico’s former football coach Russell Gray said the royal ‘took the air out of the room’ 

‘Do you mind if I join you?’ Dressed in a very festive red – including a favourite Miu Miu jumper – the Princess of Wales leaves teenage footballer Rico looking shocked as she takes a seat at the festive tea party table

The video sees teen footballer Rico, one of the guests, who thought he was just being reunited with his childhood football coach Russell Gray, grinning broadly as the Princess reaches out to shake his hand.

Kate, wear a red £1,350 Miu Miu cardigan and matching red trousers, surprised hardworking adults in the childcare sector with the tea party – in a special set that will be shown ahead of the royal’s televised carol concert.