King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by senior members of the Royal Family at the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, UK, marking one of the most public moments in the royal calendar.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk, UK, with their three children, alongside other royals including the Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Tindall, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie with their husbands. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was not present.
BEYOND THE SERVICE
After the service, the king, queen and members of the family spent time greeting crowds who had gathered outside, braving cold weather, some having queued from the evening of Christmas Eve. Visitors had travelled from across the UK as well as from Europe and the United States to see the royals.
The family arrived shortly before 11 am and were welcomed by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. The service was relayed to loudspeakers outside the church, allowing those waiting to listen. Afterwards, the royal children accepted cards, flowers, toys and gifts from well-wishers, while the Princess of Wales stopped to speak at length with members of the public as she received bouquets.
The royal family are spending Christmas at the Sandringham estate, which has been their customary festive gathering place since 1988.
The church service came hours before the king delivered his annual Christmas Day broadcast, recorded this year at Westminster Abbey. In his message, Charles focused on the need for unity at a time of global conflict and social division.
In his fourth Christmas address since becoming monarch, the 77-year-old spoke of the strength found in diversity, saying communities could ensure that “right triumphs over wrong” by recognising shared values. Reflecting on his meetings with people of different faiths, he said he was encouraged by their common desire for peace and respect for life.
Urging people to reach out to one another, the king encouraged communities to “get to know our neighbours”. Quoting TS Eliot, he suggested that amid the pace of modern life, moments of stillness could allow people to reflect and renew at “the still point of the turning world”.
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