While Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan opted out of spending Christmas with the royals, there were two notable stars at this year’s Christmas outing.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte were full of festive cheer as they, their parents Prince William and Duchess Catherine and the rest of the royal family walked to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene for the traditional morning Christmas service.
Traditionally, the younger children don’t tend to attend the church service until they are a little older, much like Savannah and Isla Phillips who were seven and six respectively when they attended last year.
Royal reporter Emily Andrews previously reported that the two eldest Cambridge children would attend earlier this month, so long as they were on “good form.”
“It’s the picture all royal fans want to see. The royals walking to church on Christmas Day is a rite of passage and so William and Kate didn’t want to expose their children too early, but they feel they’re old enough now,” she wrote.
But Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte, four seem to be old enough to attend and were the picture of cuteness dressed in their smart winter coats.
Prince Louis, one, is still too young to attend though and was presumably back at the Queen’s Sandringham estate.
As always, the Duchess of Cambridge nailed it in the fashion stakes as she made her way to the service.
Dressed in a beige belted coat with fur neckline, Duchess Catherine was the epitome of winter chic accessorised with a stunning green hat whilst Prince William wrapped up from the cold in a traditional suit and tie with a black coat.
READ MORE: All the details you may have missed during the royal family’s walk to church last year.
Of course Her Majesty the Queen was there in yet another classic ensemble, this year opting for a festive red coat and hat.
Her Majesty was not joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, who has retired from royal duties and left hospital the day before. Meanwhile her second son, Prince Andrew, chose to avoid the press and was spotted walking to the 9am service with Prince Charles ahead of the 11am service.
Prince Andrew infamously stepped down from royal duties after his controversial interview aired where he talked about his involvement with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“The Duke of York is still a part of the royal family and you can expect to see him at family occasions,” a source told The Sunday Times earlier this month.
Other members present at the traditional service included the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward with his wife Countess Sophie of Wessex and their children Lady Louise and James Viscount Severn.
Dressed in a fashionable cream coat and red headband, Countess Sophie cemented her status as an underrated fashion icon.
Like last year, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were also in attendance as was Princess Beatrice and her fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, whom she will marry in the new year.
Of course two notable royals missing from the party were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who confirmed via a statement in November.
“Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland,” it read.
The Palace added that this isn’t the first time members of the royal family have skipped a Sandringham Christmas, and that the decision also “has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.”
WATCH BELOW: The royal Fab Four step out on Christmas Day 2018. Post continues after video…
Things have certainly changed a lot since last Christmas with the royals.
The ‘Fab Four’ walked in solidarity to the church with Prince Charles and were spotted smiling and chatting with well-wishers in the crowd.
All eyes were on Duchess Meghan, who at the time was five months pregnant with little Archie, as she made her official Christmas debut as a fully-fledged royal. We hope to see her next year!