Royal walkabout at church service

THE Princess of Wales went on a mammoth walkabout, meeting well-wishers as the royal family marked Christmas Day by attending church.

- TONY JONES Press Association

Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales speak with wellwishers

The monarchy, led by the King and Queen, celebrated the high point of the festive season with a service of Christmas carols and prayers at St Mary Magdalene Church on Charles's private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Hundreds had gathered in bitter temperatures under clear blue skies to catch a glimpse of the royals as they walked to and from church just a short stroll from Sandringham House.

Missing was the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein proved his downfall and saw him stripped of his titles by his brother the King.

His daughters chose to spend Christmas with the King and other royals, rather than their father, with Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Eugenie and her spouse Jack Brooksbank joining the walk.