King Charles and Queen Camilla are joined by right-hand man Major Johnny Thompson and Anne at Sandringham before William and Kate tomorrow… while Harry and Meghan stay away again

The royal family‘s Christmas celebrations have begun in earnest, with King Charles and Queen Camilla – and his trusted equerry – heading to a traditional Christmas Eve church service this morning, ahead of welcoming their loved ones for an extended family gathering. 

The monarch, 75, looked in festive spirits as he offered well-wishers a cheery wave – and chatted with dog owners – while striding towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, accompanied by Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence.

King Charles smiled warmly at the crowds who’d turned out to greet the royals at the Sandringham estate, with many of them taking photos on their phones of the royal entourage. 

Equerry Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson was by the monarch’s side, accompanying the king and senior royals safely into the church. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales, their children and other senior royals will join the King and Queen on the Norfolk estate today, although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will celebrate December 25th stateside at their home in Los Angeles. 

Queen Camilla’s children and grandchildren have also been invited to Sandringham to for the first time, with Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his younger sister Laura Lopes, 45, and their families bound for Norfolk. 

Merry monarch: King Charles pictured alongside his trusted equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, following a Christmas Eve church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk

A wave that says it’s Christmas! Wearing his favourite tweed coat, the monarch looked in good spirits as he made his way towards St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, walking alongside Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence

The royals and the equerry: Lt Col Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland escorts the royals to church on Christmas Eve. The dashing father-of-one lives in Surrey with his wife Caroline

Queen Camilla meets an adorable looking baby amongst the crowds gathered at Sandringham on Christmas Eve

The king was wearing his favourite tweed coat, thought to be around 40 years old and from Savile Row, over a slate grey suit, with brown suede shoes 

Queen Camilla held a bouquet of yellow roses, given to her by a royal fan outside the church as the couple made their way from the service

The king’s sister, the Princess Royal, pictured leaving the church service on Christmas Eve

The King shares a joke with the owner of two dogs dressed as Christmas puddings as he left St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Eve

The monarch couldn’t hide his interest after spotting the pair of doggies in festive fancy dress

The king was wearing his favourite tweed coat, thought to be around 40 years old and from Savile Row, over a slate grey suit, with brown suede shoes. 

Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and black feathered hat strolled behind the King, smiling at families who’d gathered to greet the royals. 

Princess Anne, in a festive red coat and hat with a navy tartan skirt and boots, chatted with her sister-in-law as they walked through rural Norfolk. 

Meanwhile, the king’s trusted aide Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson accompanied the royals throughout. 

Lt Col Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, a father-of-one, lives in Surrey with his wife Caroline.

King Charles smiled warmly at those who’d turned out to greet the royals at the Sandringham estate on Christmas Eve  

Princess Anne, in a red and tartan ensemble, looks back at gathered well-wishers as the family make their way into the service

Queen Camilla shakes the hand of Reverend Canon Dr Paul Williams as she arrives, with Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence looking on 

As he left the service around lunchtime, the King stopped to share a joke with the owner of two dogs dressed as Christmas puddings, clearly finding the festive outfits amusing. 

It’s likely to be the first of two visits in two days, with a special service laid on at St Mary Magdalene church, once visited by Queen Victoria and dating back to the 16th century, on Christmas day. 

The royals will spend Christmas day and New Year at Sandringham House, with Queen Camilla’s family invited this year. 

It’s thought to be the first time that Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his younger sister Laura Lopes, 45 – the Queen’s children by her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles, have been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham House.

Reporting in November, ITV Royal Editor Chris Ship said this year’s guest list has been ‘radically altered’ for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022 to accommodate Queen Camilla’s side of the family.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s anticipated absence from Sandringham – the couple are thought to be staying at their Montecito mansion – follows recent hopes of a thaw in relations between King Charles and his youngest son.

The Sussexes had even said in the months running up to the festive period that they would accept an invitation to Sandringham this Christmas, it was reported – but the Christmas reunion hasn’t materialised.  

Queen Camilla, dressed in a warm wool coat and black feathered hat strolled behind the King, smiling at families gathered

The royal family usually maintain historic traditions throughout the festive period. 

On Christmas Eve, the family lay out their presents on a table and exchange gifts with each other during teatime. 

Sandringham House, the country estate in Norfolk which was passed onto King Charles after the death of his mother, is the monarch’s favoured festive retreat.

The estate covers a whopping 20,000 acres and was originally bought for Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark, just before they married.

Of the well-wishers who gather at the church, many choose to give the family Christmas cards and gifts. 

One fan gave Prince Louis a feathered Santa toy last year, which he carried with him while his mother, Kate, spoke to a young girl who had come out to say hello. 

With brollies in hand, the King and Queen walked back to their royal car with the family’s traditional present opening on Christmas Eve awaiting them back at the Norfolk estate

A festive handshake: the King smiles as he’s welcomed to the Christmas Eve service

The royals will spend Christmas day and New Year at Sandringham House, with the Queen’s children joining the family for Christmas Day

A glimpse of Princess Anne: the King’s sister wore a festive ensemble as she walked alongside Camilla

Quite a crowd: Families dressed for winter weather took photos of the royals as they walked to the church service

The king donned a slate grey pinstripe suite and brown suede brogues for the Christmas Eve outing

Royal fans will get a chance to sing along with the Prince and Princess of Wales on Christmas Eve, as Kate’s Together at Christmas Carol Service airs on ITV at 7:45pm.

In a clip shared ahead of the programme, Kate, 41, was seen surprising guests at a festive tea party, after quietly entering a secret London venue through a side door. 

The Princess arrived through a side door to surprise the pair; Rico’s former football coach Russell Gray said the royal ‘took the air out of the room’ 

‘Do you mind if I join you?’ Dressed in a very festive red – including a favourite Miu Miu jumper – the Princess of Wales leaves teenage footballer Rico looking shocked as she takes a seat at the festive tea party table

The video sees teen footballer Rico, one of the guests, who thought he was just being reunited with his childhood football coach Russell Gray, grinning broadly as the Princess reaches out to shake his hand.

Kate, wear a red £1,350 Miu Miu cardigan and matching red trousers, surprised hardworking adults in the childcare sector with the tea party – in a special set that will be shown ahead of the royal’s televised carol concert.