Royal Christmases at Sandringham – a look back

Getty Images The King and Queen in 2005 walking from church with Prince William and Peter Phillips. King Charles is wearing a camel coloured coat, his wife Queen Camilla is dressed in a mid-blue coat, and matching navy and blue hat. She wears pearls. Prince William and Peter are wearing dark overcoats. Crowds line the walkway. — The present King and Queen (pictured at Christmas in 2005 with Prince William and Peter Phillips behind them) are well acquainted with St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham

About 45 members of the Royal Family and guests are expected to gather at Sandringham for Christmas as guests of King Charles III.

The Norfolk estate has been the customary Christmas meeting place for the Royals since 1988.

Here is a look back at some moments from Sandringham’s Christmases past.

Members of the family often greet the public after the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church – many of whom return each year for the occasion.

Christmas Day 1991 was the last that Diana, Princess of Wales, spent at Sandringham, before separating from her husband the following year

Getty Images Christmas Day 1991 and the Royal family leaves St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate. The late Princess Diana (far left) is laughing and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret are on the front of the church with young Princes William and Harry. A young boy awaits holding flowers. Prince Philip is behind them all with King Charles in the far background. A vicar wearing black and white can be seen too. — Christmas Day 1991 was the last that Diana, Princess of Wales, spent at Sandringham, before separating from her husband the following year

Elizabeth II’s Christmas messages to the nation and Commonwealth were often recorded at Sandringham

A woman wears glasses and pearls. She has short white hair and a brooch on a blue or purple dress. She is sitting and next to her is a gold circular table with cards on and a photograph. Behind them both iis a decorated Christmas tree. The room's windows can be seen and they view is of trees and grass. It is daytime and the woman has a wide-open smile. — Elizabeth II’s Christmas messages to the nation and Commonwealth were often recorded at Sandringham

Meghan Markle spent Christmas at Sandringham for the first time in 2017, having become engaged to the Duke of Sussex in the November

Reuters Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, leads Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Crowds can be seen in the background. — Meghan Markle spent Christmas at Sandringham for the first time in 2017, having become engaged to the Duke of Sussex in the November

The late queen, seen here in 2019, would travel by train from London to King’s Lynn station in Norfolk, for Christmas, heading onwards to her home in Sandringham by car

PA Queen Elizabeth II stands on a station platform surrounded by three men in suits. She wears a pale peach coat with matching peach and pale blue headscarf. — The late queen, seen here in 2019, would travel by train from London to King’s Lynn station in Norfolk, for Christmas, heading onwards to her home in Sandringham by car

The church was a picture postcard snowy scene in 1985

Getty Images DECEMBER 25: (L-R) Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a red military style coat designed by Piero de Monz, a black velvet crowned hat designed by Marina Killery and a Russian style black muff, Anne, Princess Royal, Peter Phillips and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. They all leave St Mary Magdalene Church after attending the Christmas Day service on December 25, 1985 in Sandringham, United Kingdom — The church was a picture postcard snowy scene in 1985

Getty Images Royals after the traditional Christmas Day service gather on steps of church. Queen Elizabeth II is helped by her granddaughters Princess Beatrice And Princess Eugenie as she receives flowers and gifts from children in the crowd.

Smiling princesses – Beatrice and Eugenie – were handed gifts on Christmas Day in 1997

Getty Images Young girls wearing matching outfits of beret-style hats, gold skirts and velvet jackets. They are walking outside. — Smiling princesses – Beatrice and Eugenie – were handed gifts on Christmas Day in 1997

In 2013, Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived at the church having given birth to her first son George earlier that year

Getty Images Princess of Wales stands in front of a car and is wearing a pale beige coat with a deep burgundy checked scarf. Princess Anne has a fur-lined cape and the late queen is wearing a dark brown fur coat. — In 2013, Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived at the church having given birth to her first son George earlier that year

In 2011, Catherine spent her first Christmas in Norfolk following her marriage to Prince William in the April

Getty Images A woman with a burgundy hat and coat is chatting to people in a crowd. She is being given flowers. People all around her are taking photos of her with cameras and video cameras. The crowd is very tightly packed around her with people of all ages. The woman is smiling and engaged in conversation. — In 2011, Catherine spent her first Christmas in Norfolk following her marriage to Prince William in the April

King Charles spent his first Christmas as monarch at Sandringham in 2022

Getty Images Several members of the Royal Family in winter coats walk together to attend a church service. Queen Camilla and King Charles III lead the family. — King Charles spent his first Christmas as monarch at Sandringham in 2022

Young Lena Tindall, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of York showcased their finest headwear at Christmas last year

Getty Images Two women stand together - one is wearing a bottle green, the other a navy coat. One wears an elaborate head band displaying bottle green feathers while the other woman sports a beige hat with a bow. Another female can be seen wearing a taupe coloured hat. A young child stands close to her mother and has a pink head band. — Young Lena Tindall, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of York showcased their finest headwear at Christmas last year

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