It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and let’s face it, there’s one festive family who do December 25th like no other.
Enter the British Royal Family, who never fail to dazzle us with their Yuletide cheer.
In between The King’s speech, their adorable Christmas cards and mouth-watering lunch menu, there’s another annual tradition royal watchers can’t get enough of – and that’s seeing the full cast and crew of the family out and about as they head off to the morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
We love seeing our favourite royals all rugged up in festive winter coats on Christmas morning, especially when the royal kids – like the Cambridge children – come along.
It’s also a chance to see the entire family interact with one another as well as the public well-wishers who dutifully camp outside to rub shoulders with royalty.
It’s a very royal Christmas as The Queen, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte embrace the holiday spirit.
(Getty)Who could forget Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s historical first royal Christmas in 2017? Despite not being an official royal wife, Queen Elizabeth broke with protocol and invited Prince Harry’s partner along to spend Christmas with her soon to be in-laws.
It was the first time Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Harry and Meghan were all pictured together and were soon dubbed “The Fab Four.” A year later, the newly married Harry and Meghan (who was also pregnant with baby Archie!) again attended church alongside Kate and Wills in what would be their final Sandringham Christmas appearance… for now.
In 2023, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, are expected to be joined at Sandringham by Prince William, Princess Kate and their children. They’ll also be joined by the extended family, and we can’t wait to see all the best photos!
As we countdown to December 25, we round up the best Royal Family Christmas Day photos from over the years
Royal rascals steal the show
The whole Prince William and Princess Kate family plus Mia Tindall were out and about at the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
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In 2019 Princess Charlotte and Prince George were the centre of attention for their first official Christmas Day appearance.
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Charlotte stole the show with her adorable little curtsey as the Queen arrived.
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She even paused to chat with local well-wishers with mum Kate – too cute!
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Christmas is best lived through the eyes of children and in 2016 Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s cute antics made all our Christmas dreams come true when they joined mum and dad at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire.
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Name a cuter Prince George moment – we don’t think there is one!
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Mother-daughter style! Catherine and Charlotte worked coordinating maroon hues for the outing.
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It marked a year off of royal duties for the Wales’, who spent the day with Catherine’s immediate family, The Middletons, at their Bucklebury home.
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So adorable! Remember when Charlotte was this little?
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Just like when her dad was a wee one, the pair are total scene-sealers!
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Prince William leads the way during with cousins Zara Phillips, Lord Frederick Windsor, Peter Phillips and mother Princess Diana behind during Christmas in Windsor in 1987.
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Too cute! Prince Andrew with his daughters and a whole lot of gifts back in 1999.
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Before she became the longest-serving monarch, a then Princess Elizabeth was just a little girl who loved Christmas. Here she is in 1929, about to depart King’s Cross station in London to spend the holiday season at Sandringham.
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Years later with her own children (and corgis!), The Queen spread the Christmas cheer. Here she is in 1962 with Prince Andrew holding her hand, Princess Anne and the Prince of Wales heading off from King’s Cross station bound for Sandringham.
(Getty)Fabulous festive hats
Princess Diana in a broad-brimmed hat with a dramatic veil during Christmas morning at Sandringham in 1993.
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Catherine’s furry black hat and tartan Miu Miu coat kept her cosy during Christmas morning in 2017.
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For her first Christmas with the Royal Family in 2017, Meghan opted for a camel-coloured coat by Sentaler and a chestnut-brown felt Philip Treacy hat with an intricate twirl at the top.
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Queen Elizabeth wins Christmas in this timeless look!
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Bonus points to Camilla for matching her hat to her purse and coat.
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Princess double act: In 2006, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice stepped out in coordinating blue overcoats and pretty headpieces.
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For Christmas in 2002, it was all about the feathered hat and floral jacket for Princess Beatrice.
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2006’s celebrations saw Beatrice in an eye-catching purple number.
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Younger sister Princess Eugenie’s stylish feathered fedora turned heads in 2010.
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But we think this stunning deep-red headpiece with matching blush lipstick is our favourite look on Eugenie.
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Who says you can’t wear an Akubra to church? Zara Tindall channelled her inner cowgirl in 2004.
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In 2008, Zara was all wrapped up like a present in this red hat with a statement bow.
(Getty)Princess Diana’s festive fun
Crowds always camp out to catch a glimpse of the royals as they make their way to church and Princess Diana always made sure to stop and talk to the well-wishers.
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Royal sisters in-law Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana put their best foot forward in 1988.
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Princess Diana and Prince William share a laugh on Christmas morning.
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So sweet!
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Princess Diana and The Queen following a church service on Christmas Day, 1995.
(Getty)Precious family moments
Kisses for The Queen! We love seeing the Royal Family interact with one another and this touching exchange between Catherine and Her Majesty has to be one of our favourites.
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Prince Charles and his daughter in-law Catherine, who was pregnant with Princess Charlotte at the time, have a chat following the church service in 2014.
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Prince Charles with wife Camilla in 2016.
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Cousins Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie make their way into church together.
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Whoops! Prince Andrew’s hat topples off and older brother Prince Charles finds it most amusing.
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Royal brothers Prince Harry and a bearded Prince William in 2008.
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Prince Philip shows off his softer side as he lovingly pats granddaughter Princess Eugenie on the head in 1998.
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Sweet Prince Philip strikes again as he lends a hand to his mother-in-law, the Queen Mother.
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Princess Beatrice helps her grandmother The Queen with a bunch of pretty posies.
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The Queen Mother with her daughter The Queen outside the church gates in 1996.
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The whole family, including Prince Andrew, Princess Diana, Princess Anne, her children Zara and Peter, The Queen and Prince Philip congregate on the church steps in 1985.
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Prince Charles and Camilla are joined by Prince William, Catherine and Prince Harry in 2011. This was the Duchess of Cambridge’s first ever royal Christmas.
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Zara Tindall is flanked by cousins Prince William and Prince Harry on a very crisp Christmas morning.
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The true stars of Christmas, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2017.
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Mother-daughter duo Zara Tindall and Princess Anne.
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In 2019, Prince Charles, or “Grandpa Wales” as he’s known to his grandchildren, joined Catherine, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George for the traditional morning church service.
(Getty)Winter wonderland
Snowed under! Princess Diana, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and a young Zara Phillips navigate their way through the powder in 1985.
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It was a winter wonderland for the royals on Christmas morning in 2009.
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Christmas in Narnia! The Queen and Prince Philip in 1985.
(Getty)Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ touching PDAs
It’s always a treat to see these royal love birds in action, especially when they’re holding hands!
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Pregnant with daughter Princess Charlotte at the time, the soon to be parents of two were positively beaming on Christmas morning in 2014.
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The couple were keeping close once again in 2013.
(Getty)Meghan’s first-ever Christmas
In 2017, all eyes were on the soon to be Duchess of Sussex as she joined the Royals for Christmas. Who could forget this iconic moment when Kate and Meghan curtsied to The Queen?
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The outing also signalled the beginning of the Royal Fab Four!
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Harry and Meghan had only just announced their engagement the month before.
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Kate, Philip and Meghan make their way into church.
(Getty)The Queen of Christmas and her flawless style
But without a doubt, there is no one we love seeing more on Christmas than The Queen! The 92-year-old always dons an uplifting and stylish bright outfits for the occasion.
(Getty)The Fab Four reunite
In December 2018, the royal Fab Four reunited at Sandringham in a spectacle of pure glory. Little did fans know it would be their last united walk.
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Kate and Meghan’s coat + hat ensembles only made us want more joint appearances from the trendy in-laws!
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