The Princess of Wales joined the royals for church on Christmas morning in a triumphant return where she was given gifts and flowers by adoring fans. As King Charles led the royals to church for their traditional Christmas Day service with Queen Camilla, they were followed by Prince William, Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
William walked hand in hand with Charlotte while Kate smiled at the crowds as she held hands with Louis. Christmas comes at the end of a highly challenging year for the royals following Kate’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment. She went on to say she was doing all she could to remain cancer-free.
Speaking to The Mirror body language expert Judi James said it was one gesture as the family walked to church that showed Kate’s true feelings about her return for Christmas. She said: “Kate’s small beret hat allowed a full view of her face, which in turn showed off that authentic, congruent, dimpled smile rather than her perfect royal version.
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“Her energetic pace of walk as she clutched Louis’s hand in her own, and the way her eye-gaze went from the adoring fans (she walked crowd-side to allow proximity) to her left and down the line of Louis, Charlotte, William and George, when her beam of pride was obvious.
“George is still mirroring his dad but also increasingly taking the lead without looking to William for approval signals, suggesting he is acting on his own initiative. The shyness signals have gone, and he now has a tendency to walk ahead when it comes to meeting and greeting.”
One well-wisher who managed to get a hug with Kate said it was a privelege -Credit:Jordan Peck|Getty Images
Kate was given flowers and other gifts by the many fans who had gathered -Credit:Jordan Peck|Getty Images
Also in the walking party to church this morning was Princess Anne, Edward and Sophie the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Mike and Zara Tindall and their children, as well as a pregnant Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son Wolfie. Members of the royal family who walked to the service were greeted at the foot of the steps to the church by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams. They then headed inside and the national anthem was sung before the first hymn, O Come, All Ye Faithful.
After the 45-minute service, the royals led by the King and Queen once again, left the church to greet the hundreds of well-wishers who had gathered at Sandringham to see them. As they chatted to the crowds, many had brought flowers for Kate, who was seen with an armful of bouquets.
Kate held hands with Louis while walking beside her three children after the service -Credit:Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror
Kate wore a green coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen -Credit:Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror
After the 45-minute service, the royals led by the King and Queen once again, left the church to greet the hundreds of well-wishers who had gathered at Sandringham -Credit:Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror
The royal children were also given gifts, with George, Charlotte and Louis all seen holding Mickey Mouse toys as well as chocolate selection boxes. The King and Queen were also given flowers as was Sophie.
One well-wisher at Sandringham was Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug. The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had “20 years of cancer” and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year. “We just had a little talk about cancer, really,” said Ms Maclean. “I’ve met the King before. He said to me ‘I can remember you, I’m thinking ‘what!’ like many years ago?” She said that Charles and Kate seemed “very well actually, considering what they’re going through”. She added after hugging Kate: “What a privilege.”