King Charles greeted crowds at Sandringham after attending a Christmas Day church service for the first time as monarch. The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children and other senior royals at the Norfolk estate. Crowds gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church from the early hours. It is the first time members of the Royal Family have spent Christmas at Sandringham House since 2019. The royal standard is flying above the house, marking a return to traditional royal festivities. The sound of the church organ rang out as members of the Royal Family made the short walk from Sandringham House to the church just before 11:00 GMT. The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, and the Duke of York and his children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the service. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex who last celebrated Christmas at Sandringham in 2018 were not there. The King and Queen Consort, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, spoke to crowds following the 45-minute service. Some in the crowd gave them flowers and gifts. It is the first year the King has hosted the Royal Family's traditional gathering at the Norfolk estate since the death of his mother. Queen Elizabeth II hosted 32 Christmases at Sandringham but was forced to cancel her annual festivities in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. Later this afternoon the King's first Christmas Day message will be broadcast. It was recorded on Dec. 13 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the late Queen was buried in September. Crowds started gathering outside St Mary Magdalene Church in the early hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals and to speak to them as they walked back to the house following the service. Sandringham House has been the private home of British monarchs for more than 160 years. — BBC
