Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton wore nearly identical outfits as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene church for the Royal Family’s annual Christmas Day service in Sandringham today.
In a sartorial display of solidarity, Britain’s Queen and future Queen both picked deep green winter coats with matching fascinators for the royal walkabout at their Norfolk estate on a wintry Christmas morning.
Camilla, 77, and Kate, 42, coordinated their looks right down to their accessories, with the duo wearing black gloves and boots, while also carrying similar black bags.
While Kate completed her outfit with a navy and green scarf, as well as a pair of dainty diamond earrings, Camilla fastened a sparkling brooch to the lapel of her coat.
Ever prepared, Camilla also carried a silver umbrella as she walked towards the church accompanied by her husband, King Charles.
The monarch, 76, wore a smart light brown coat over a white shirt and grey trousers for Wednesday’s Christmas church service, with Charles finishing his ensemble with a pair of tan dress shoes.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales was beaming as he walked behind Charles and Camilla, while accompanied by Kate and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
Sporting the beard that royal fans can’t seem to get enough of, the future King of Britain looked dapper in a navy blue coat and matching trousers that presumably inspired George and Louis’ looks as well.
Camilla, 77, (pictured) and Kate, 42, coordinated their looks right down to their accessories, with the duo wearing black gloves and boots, while also carrying similar black bags
While Kate completed her outfit with a navy and green scarf, as well as a pair of dainty diamond earrings, Camilla (not pictured) fastened a sparkling brooch to the lapel of her coat
Charlotte, on the other hand, turned to her mother Kate for fashion inspiration, with the young royal wearing an elegant navy and blue coat over her dress.
As the young royals accepted presents from their well-wishers, the Waleses looked happy and hopeful for the New Year after what has been a particularly challenging past 12 months following Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis in January.
King Charles was also diagnosed with the disease earlier this year and, while Kate recently completed a preventative course of chemotherapy, it was confirmed the monarch’s treatment will continue next year.
Ahead of Wednesday morning’s service at St Mary Magdalene, King Charles was spotted on his way to the church over the weekend.
He appeared in high spirits as he greeted a member of the clergy at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Charles beamed as he waved to well-wishes who were hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal on his outing.
It comes after Prince William told how he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 members of his family ‘all in one room’ as he attended a seasonal event for families of 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, in his role as colonel-in-chief, at Bulford, Wiltshire, last week.
Several senior members of the Royal Family joined Charles, Camilla, and the Waleses in Sandringham today – including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, and Zara and Mike Tindall.
King Charles and Queen Camilla lead the royal family as they make their way to St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham on Christmas morning
In a sartorial display of solidarity, Britain’s Queen and future Queen both picked deep green winter coats with matching fascinators for the royal walkabout at their Norfolk estate on a wintry Christmas morning
Kate and Camilla smiled and waved at onlookers as they
Sporting the beard that royal fans can’t seem to get enough of, the future King of Britain looked dapper in a navy blue coat and matching trousers that presumably inspired George and Louis’ looks as well.
Notably absent, however, were the Duke and Duchess of York, after it was confirmed Prince Andrew would skip the family’s Christmas celebrations in Sandringham amid scrutiny over his links to an alleged Chinese spy.
The Daily Mail exclusively revealed the beleaguered Duke of York agreed not to embarrass the King further and has voluntarily decided, along with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, to give the annual celebrations in Norfolk a miss.
It is believed the couple are likely to remain at Royal Lodge.
Those invited to Sandringham can look forward to a mixture of the traditional and some festive fun of the Royal Family’s own making.
Members of The Firm open their presents on Christmas Eve in a nod to the family’s German origins.
They lay out their gifts on trestle tables and exchange them at teatime – and are known to enjoy giving each other novelty presents, typically buying things that are cheap and will make people laugh rather than spending a lot on big, lavish gifts.
For instance, Prince William reportedly gave his late grandmother a pair of slippers emblazoned with her face.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, however, opted for something safer for Queen Elizabeth – a jar of homemade chutney. They then don black tie for a dinner on Christmas Eve.
The monarch, 76, wore a smart light brown coat over a white shirt and grey trousers for Wednesday’s Christmas church service, with Charles finishing his ensemble with a pair of tan dress shoes
Britain’s future king William with his son Prince George
The following day, the Royals attend the service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, where they are greeted by well-wishers, before returning for a traditional lunch of roast turkey and all the trimmings.
They sit down ready to eat at 1.15pm sharp, according to Queen Elizabeth II’s former chef Darren McGrady, who catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 1980s and 1990s.
On Christmas night, they are said to play parlour games including charades and bingo.
