Well-wishers camp out to greet royals for Christmas

King offers heartfelt’ thanks to doctors in message to nation

- HOLLY BANCROFT

Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George took centre stage yesterday morning as they joined the Prince and Princess of Wales on their traditional walk to the church service on the family’s Sandringham Estate.

The three grinning children held hands with Kate and William as they walked past throngs of well-wishers on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church. George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, were all dressed in matching navy coats, with cheery Charlotte sporting a dark green bow in her hair. Kate was also colour-coordinated with her children, wearing a green coat and hat for the occasion.

The family looked in good spirits as they paused to speak to the on-lookers who had been waiting to see the royals walk to the church. Some had arrived to bag their spots on Christmas Eve and camped out overnight. The family, including the King and Queen, gathered for a photo outside the church. They were greeted by the Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams before they headed inside, with the national anthem being sung before the first hymn, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”.

Charlotte was pictured waving to the crowds as she clutched a bunch of white roses and a Cadbury’s chocolate selection box. George had also been gifted a white teddy bear and some Cadbury’s chocolates.