Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters joined the King, the Queen and other royals in Sandringham on Christmas Day for the family’s annual church service without him.
Princess Beatrice, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Eugenie, and her partner Jack Brooksbank, joined the rest of the Royal Family on the short walk to the Mary Magdalene Church on the King’s private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, on Christmas morning.
They were pictured alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla and others, as hundreds braved the cold to catch a glimpse of the royals.
It came ahead of the King’s Christmas message – which referenced the Bondi Beach and Manchester synagogue attacks and the “spontaneous bravery” of those who put “themselves in harm’s way to defend others”.
The monarch spoke about the need for kindness, compassion and hope “in times of uncertainty”, “as we hear of division both at home and abroad”.
He also appeared to encourage people to switch off from their gadgets for a while to “allow our souls to renew”.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie after attending the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service. Pic: Reuters
Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Pic: PA
Some people queued overnight for the traditional church service, with the royals making their appearance shortly before 11am.
Attending the Christmas service at the St Mary Magdalene church is a regular tradition of the Royal Family and a highlight of their festive calendar.
After the service, the King, the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children chatted to the crowds who lined the route back to Sandringham, many of them wearing Santa hats, tinsel necklaces or reindeer antlers.
Kate chatted to dozens of well-wishers for almost 20 minutes after most of the other royals had reached the house.
She was given armfuls of flowers, which were carried away by police officers.
Meanwhile, her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, also received gifts from well-wishers, from soft toys to boxes of chocolates and games.
Among the royals attending church were the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall with their daughters, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their children.
Princess of Wales meets members of the public.
Pic: AP
The Prince of Wales speaking to members of the public outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
Pic: Aaron Chown/PA
Pic: PA
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It comes as Andrew continues life on the outside of the Royal Family, with the US government continuing to release more of the Epstein files.
Andrew was forced to step back from royal life after his links to Epstein, a convicted paedophile who took his own life in 2019, became apparent.
The former duke will soon leave his Royal Lodge home near Windsor Castle, for a property on the Sandringham Estate. Marsh Farm is being renovated for the move in the New Year.
Watch: What could be next for Andrew in light of the Epstein files?
Andrew was forced to give up his Windsor home after an outcry when it emerged he had been paying a peppercorn rent for the large property.
