King Charles and Queen Camilla lead royals on Christmas Day as Andrew banished

King Charles and Queen Camilla led the Royal Family's walk to church this morning, as they headed to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate for a festive service. The Queen was radiant in festive red, matching Princess Anne, walking behind with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.

Sisters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice’s attendance had been in doubt due to the scandals engulfing their disgraced parents, but they joined the royal party with their husbands, smiling in the winter sunshine. The Prince and Princess of Wales walked with their three young children, with Catherine wearing a dark brown tartan coat dress and a pillbox hat.

Wrapped warm against the chilly and breezy December weather, the wider Royal Family chatted amiably as they made their way to the church - punctuated by shouts of “Merry Christmas” from the well-wishers lining the route. 

Mike and Zara Tindall were accompanied by their two daughters, Mia and Lena, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were joined by their children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex.

Smiling and waving, the King appeared in high spirits as he greeted the public just weeks after he revealed that his cancer treatment would be reduced in the new year. 

They then headed inside the church for a special service, which started with the national anthem and a welcome from the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams, the Rector.

The service was played on speakers to the crowds waiting in the cold, with many singing along as the carols O come, all ye Faithful, Oh little town of Bethlehem and While shepherds watched their flocks by night were sung by the congregation.

After the 45-minute service, the King and Queen walked out with the Rector before heading to meet royal fans, some of whom had camped overnight for a chance to meet the monarch and other members of the family.

Catherine walked out with Charlotte after a sweet video of mother and daughter performing a piano duet together for Catherine’s Christmas carol service was released on Christmas Eve.

They had pre-recorded the piece at Windsor Castle last week to open the broadcast of the event that was broadcast on Wednesday evening on ITV1.

The 10-year-old princess was busy chatting away with her two cousins, Mia and Lena, as her brothers and father followed behind.

William lovingly put his arm around young Louis as he chatted to the Rector, wishing him a “very Merry Christmas” before the family walked over to greet the waiting public.

Catherine was laden with flowers and gifts as she made her way through the crowds of well-wishers outside the church.

Her children also had their hands full of gifts, with Louis clutching a blue Mickey Mouse toy and Charlotte being handed beautiful bouquets and teddy bears. George was seen holding selection boxes of chocolates.

The young trio seemed at ease as they shook hands and spoke warmly to members of the public, with Catherine trailing behind, determined to speak to as many people as possible before walking back to the house for a festive feast.

It's the second year that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have spent the festivities at Royal Lodge in Windsor, their last Christmas at the 30-room mansion. 

Earlier this year, the pair agreed not to use their Duke and Duchess of York titles, before the King took further action against his brother and formally stripped his younger brother of his princely title.

The couple have also agreed to vacate Royal Lodge, with Andrew moving to a property on the King's private Sandringham Estate next year. A date for the relocation has not yet been announced, but it is expected to take place before the spring.