The King and Queen participated in the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal Family.
Excited crowds gathered as the monarch and his family made their way to St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk. Among the well-wishers was a woman from the audience who, having survived ovarian cancer, shared that she was able to personally wish the King and Princess Catherine well after their own recent cancer diagnoses.
Just days earlier, it was confirmed that Prince Andrew would not be attending the annual Christmas gathering following revelations about his alleged connection to a Chinese spy. The news surrounding these allegations prompted the decision for his absence.
The church service took place just hours before the King’s traditional Christmas message was set to air. This year, the message was pre-recorded in the former chapel of Middlesex Hospital, a location not used for the Christmas broadcast in over a decade.
In attendance were King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who were accompanied by their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Also joining the walking party were Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, along with their children, Lady Louise Windsor and the Earl of Wessex.
The royal family was greeted by Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams at the steps of the church. Inside, the National Anthem was sung before the congregation joined together for the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful.
The Christmas morning service is a significant occasion on the royal calendar, marking a public appearance for the family, with photographers and spectators capturing the moment. Following the service, the family traditionally spends the holiday at their Sandringham estate, which has served as their seasonal gathering place since 1988.
Shelly, from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, shared that this was her first year attending the service to show support for the King and Princess Catherine. Having faced a difficult year herself, Shelly said she wanted to turn her personal struggles into a positive experience by attending the service in support of the royal couple. “It’s been a tough year for Catherine,” she said, “and I just want to offer my support.”
Among the crowd was Diane from Oldham, an ovarian cancer survivor who had the opportunity to shake hands with the King, Prince William, and Princess Catherine, as well as their youngest son, Prince Louis. Diane explained that it was meaningful to her to speak with the royals, especially given her personal experience with cancer. She shared that she had written to Catherine about her journey with cancer, receiving “lovely replies” from the Princess. “Cancer affects the whole family,” Diane said, “and I wanted to be here to see the family and celebrate Christmas together.”
While Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah, the Duchess of York, were absent from the service, their daughter, Princess Beatrice, attended with her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and his son from a previous relationship, Christopher Woolf.
Prince Andrew’s absence follows recent reports connecting him to an alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo (also known as Chris Yang), who had reportedly established links to influential figures, including the prince. Yang, who had been banned from entering the UK, was described in court documents as having an “unusual degree of trust” with Prince Andrew. The prince’s office has stated that no sensitive matters were ever discussed with Yang.
Since stepping back from royal duties after his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public, Prince Andrew has remained largely out of the spotlight.
Later on Christmas Day, the King’s annual Christmas message was broadcast, recorded earlier in the month at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London. This year marked the first time in over ten years that the message had been filmed outside a royal residence. The chapel, which was once part of Middlesex Hospital, suggests that themes of healthcare and community support may be central to the King’s address.
Earlier in the year, Princess Catherine made a public announcement, revealing that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. She also shared an uplifting message about finding light in dark times. Following her recovery, the Princess of Wales made a significant return to royal duties, hosting a carol service at Westminster Abbey to honor individuals who have shown exceptional kindness and empathy to their communities.
Meanwhile, the King continues his treatment sessions but has plans to engage in a busy schedule of royal duties and international trips in 2025, reflecting a positive response to his ongoing health journey.
