Christmas Day is a special time for the royal family. Not only do they all celebrate with Queen Elizabeth at her country home in Sandringham, but they all gather together that morning to go to church together. The walk to church together shows the togetherness of the family and their commitment to the public.
The special stroll to St. Mary Magdalene this year featured two new faces in the mix. For the first time, Prince William and Kate Middleton's two oldest children joined the family for church services. Prince George, who is 6 years old, and Princess Charlotte, who is 4, greeted the crowds with the rest of the family in their adorable Christmas outfits. The two children seemed very happy to be with family and to be part of the bigger tradition. Following the 11 a.m. service, Queen Elizabeth returned home, while other members of the family lingered to interact with the public.
Christmas is a time for traditions for the royal family. Each year, Queen Elizabeth spends the holiday in Sandringham, her country estate. Members of the royal family join her there so that they can spend the holiday together.
Christmas Eve sees the royals opening a few presents. It's in honor of their German ancestry, via Prince Philip's family. On Christmas morning, they come together as a group and walk to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, where they attend services.
This year marked a first for the royal family. Joining them on their stroll to the church were two members of the next generation of royals. Prince George and Princess Charlotte walked with the family for the first time ever.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's two oldest children looked simply adorable. They held hands with their parents as they walked along. There were plenty of fans of the royal family that lined their route, catching a glimpse at the young royals.
The royal family attended the 11 am service. Six-year-old Prince George wore a navy blue blazer with a matching sweater and slacks, a perfect match for William's outfit. Four-year-old Charlotte matched Kate's accessories, wearing a dark green Amaia jacket, navy blue tights, and black dress shoes.
Following the service, the Cambridges bid Queen Elizabeth farewell as she returned to her Sandringham home. Then, William and Kate walked the kids through their first time greeting the public. Kate and Charlotte began by thanking the clergymen for their work on the service.
At one point, Kate could be seen explaining how things work to her daughter. Charlotte did an excellent job at her first outing. She showed excellent manners and genuine enthusiasm while greeting the public.
As they said hello to the crowds, Charlotte received a gift from one of those gathered there. She was very gracious as she accepted a flamingo balloon from a woman in a wheelchair, who she hugged in return.
"It was amazing," the woman, Gemma Clark, told Mirror Online. "I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I’ve never seen the Royal Family before."
There were some members of the royal family missing from Christmas this year. Prince Louis didn't join his older siblings, as he's too young to sit through the service. Princess Charlotte is actually younger than her father and uncle, Prince Harry, were when they made their Christmas debuts at 5-years-old.
Prince Philip was absent from the service. The 98-year-old is still recovering after his planned hospital stay. He was, however, at Sandringham to enjoy the holiday with the family despite not making any public appearances.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and baby Archie were also absent from Christmas celebrations. The couple is still on their six-week hiatus from royal duties. They are believed to have spent the holiday with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.
Prince George and Prince Charlotte weren't the only ones making their debut. Princess Beatrice was joined by her fiancé, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, for the first time this year. Princess Eugenie was also in attendance with husband Jack Brooksbank.
Their father, Prince Andrew, also did not appear on the royal walk. He reportedly attended an earlier service along with Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth. This continues his indefinite retirement from the public eye following a year of scandal.
All in all, it seems like the royal family had an excellent Christmas. They got the joy of welcoming new family members and seeing the next generation join in on festivities. They also continued to observe the traditions that make this time of year so special for all.
