Gorgeous in green: Kate dazzles in festive coat and hat as she leaves George and Charlotte at home to attend royals’ traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham
Bangla sanglap desk:The Duchess of Cambridge beamed as she arrived alongside husband William for the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham estate – but their two young children were nowhere to be seen.
The royal couple chatted to Prince Harry as they followed the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to St Mary Magdalene Church. But despite speculation that two-year-old Prince George might make his first appearance at the event, the toddler and his seven-month-old sister Charlotte were left at home.
Led by the Queen who arrived in a Bentley wearing a festive red dress coat, the rest of the family made their way on foot from Sandringham House.
Anne, the Princess Royal, looked in good spirits as she accompanied her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, while the Duke of York was joined by his children, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.
Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex walked alongside their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Some 1,000 well-wishers gathered braved bad weather to join in the festivities, which started with the National Anthem and the hymn Angels From The Realm Of Glory.
The wet weather meant most of the royals were quick to set off from the church for the comfort of Sandringham House. But Prince Harry braved the drizzle to speak to some of the waiting well-wishers, including two young children in festive hats and an elderly woman in a wheelchair.
While senior Royals will now head back to Sandringham for Christmas lunch, it is thought the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will go to Anmer Hall, their home on the estate, where they will dine on roast turkey with the Middletons.
Friends report that Kate has spent hundreds on decorations, including glittery baubles, flashing tree lights and mounds of tinsel, which George apparently loves. The Duchess was spotted shopping as early as November with a view to making Anmer a riot of flashing colour.
The usually conservative Kate has bought two trees, the smaller of which has been dressed with flashing fairy lights for George and his sister, Charlotte.
A larger tree has been dressed in a more tasteful colour scheme for the main house. ‘Kate has gone all out and there’s a lot of glitter, sparkle and Christmas cheer,’ one source told the Mail On Sunday.
‘She wants it to be great fun for the kids. There is nothing formal or stuffy, it’s all rather over the top and good fun. The Middletons always go OTT, and Kate and Will are following suit.’
According to another Royal source, William tried the format last year and has now established a blueprint for years to come.
‘Sandringham is wonderful, but it’s very traditional and formal, and not relaxing,’ said one insider. ‘There are multiple clothes changes a day. You can’t blame William and Kate for wanting something more relaxed.’
William and Kate have reportedly bought a custom-made oak see-saw engraved with their children’s names, while the Duke is said to have bought a vintage toy train set for George.
Prince Harry is expected to visit his niece and nephew tonight, where he might join in games organised by Kate’s brother, James.
Earlier, the Queen was seen stepping out of her car alongside her daughter-in-law, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. Her Majesty wore a cream skirt and matching jacket, which she paired with a brown calf-length coat – believed to be the same one she wore on Christmas Day last year.