George and Charlotte attend first Christmas Day church service with the Queen
The youngsters walked from Sandringham House with their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and grandfather, the Prince of Wales.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte have joined the Queen at the royal family’s traditional Christmas Day church service on her Sandringham estate for the first time.
George, six, and four-year-old Charlotte walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church hand in hand with their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
One-year-old Prince Louis stayed at the house.
The 93-year-old Queen, wearing a red coat and hat, arrived at the church in a maroon Bentley with the Duchess of Cornwall.
He had spent four nights at the King Edward VII Hospital in London to receive treatment for a “pre-existing condition”.
Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, did not attend last year’s church service either despite being in good health at the time.
Andrew remained at Sandringham House to spend time with the Duke of Edinburgh, a source said, which was the Duke of York’s personal decision.
Andrew’s attempt to explain his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein backfired and he was heavily criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and remorse over his friendship with the disgraced financier.
Others attending the main morning service included Princess Beatrice and her fiance, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The Queen walked unaided down the church steps after the service and left in her chauffeured car with Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
The Duchess of Cambridge, holding her daughter’s hand, curtseyed to the Queen from the steps as the car departed.
Gemma Clark, 39, who had travelled from Long Sutton in Lincolnshire with her family, gave Charlotte an inflatable flamingo and said she seemed pleased with the gift.
“She said ‘Thank you’,” said Ms Clark, who was in a wheelchair.
The flamingo was called Felicity, Ms Clark said, adding: “But Charlotte may call it whatever she likes now.”
She said George and Charlotte were “brilliant” and that they both hugged her.
“It made my day,” she added. “I’ve never seen the royal family, ever.
“This is my first time at Sandringham and I would love to do it again.”
Back at the house, the family traditionally indulge in turkey, reared at Sandringham, before settling down to watch TV, including the Queen’s Christmas Speech.
