Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked typically elegant today as she joined other members of the Royal Family at a special Christmas service at Sandringham.
The duchess, 59, was accompanied by her husband Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and their children Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, at St Mary Magdalene Church .
Sophie, who has been widely praised for supporting Kate Middleton during her gradual return to royal duties, chose a vibrant lilac coat for the occasion, which she paired with a pillbox hat in a complementary shade of blue.
The mother-of-two’s calf-length double-breasted wool coat had two pockets on the front and was cinched at the waist thanks to a thin belt.
She was wearing a pair of stylish brown leather knee-high boots and carried a small green purse with a gold chain strap.
Her blonde hair was slicked back into a bun while her hat was adorned with a blue net cape.
She kept her makeup simple for the occasion, adding a touch of lipstick and a bit of blush to her flawless complexion, and wore delicate diamond earrings along with a pendant necklace.
Sophie’s daughter Lady Louise wore a pale pink double-breasted coat, which she paired with a cream beret.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), was accompanied by her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor (left), her son James, Earl of Wessex (back, centre) and her husband Edward, Ducke of Edinburgh (back, right)
Louise, a student at St Andrew’s University and a skilled carriage driver, completed her ensemble with beige suede heels.
She had a typically fresh face and wore her wavy hair combed back to reveal a pair of gold earrings.
James and his father, Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, both smartly dressed in suits and ties, walked behind Sophie and Louise, while Princess Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, also joined them.
The family were pictured outside the church with pregnant Princess Beatrice, 36, who attended with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher ‘Wolfie’ Woolf, eight.
Also present at Sandringham was Kate, 42, who was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11 , and King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Her attendance followed joyful anticipation after what has been a grueling year for the Princess, who shocked the world with a shocking cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
Sophie (centre), accompanied by Lady Louise (left) and Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence (right), wore a vibrant lilac coat to the special Christmas church service at Sandringham this morning.
Sophie paired her coat with a netted pillbox hat in a deeper shade of blue.
The princess underwent major abdominal surgery at the hospital, after which doctors broke the news to her that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately.
He began a gradual, measured return to public life after announcing he had completed preventive chemotherapy treatment in September.
Today, all eyes were on Kate, who looked as positive and radiant as ever, giving no sign of the difficult year she had had.
The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023.
She paired the coat with a matching headdress and scarf, as well as a pair of black gloves and black boots to keep warm, as the future Queen greeted the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church.
Her silky brunette locks were styled in soft waves, while her makeup was typically understated but flawless.
Fans have been queuing at Sandringham since last night, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months.
King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and the monarch is still undergoing treatment for the disease.
Lady Louise, 21, wore a beige coat, which she paired with a cream beret and beige suede heels.
Sophie and her family pictured outside St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, with Princess Beatrice (Sophie’s right) and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (right)
Royal megafan John Loughrey told Sky News that he arrived at Sandringham at around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve, hoping to present Kate with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Loughrey said: “It hasn’t been easy for Catherine and her family so we have come to support him,” she said.
“And we hope to see you today and also give you these beautiful flowers.”
As King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales entered the church, the crowd could be heard wishing them a “Merry Christmas!”
Her infectious smile was testament to her bravery in the face of adversity, as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service is just one of many official public engagements the Princess has attended since announcing her cancer treatment. .
It is also the second time the Wales family has been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King’s birthday parade, in June.
Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son’s dapper style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future king’s.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was twinned with her mother, and the young princess also wore a dark green coat.
They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family, including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, and Princess Beatrice.
Sophie completed her look with a pair of high-heeled brown leather knee-high boots.
James, 17, and Edward, 60, looked dapper in suits and ties with coats.
Princess Beatrice (center), who is pregnant with her second child, wore a tan double-breasted coat.
Earlier this month, the Welsh and other members of the Royal Family gathered for Kate’s special Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London.
The fourth edition of Kate’s ‘Together at Christmas’ service aired last night on Christmas Eve, when the program paid tribute to people across the country who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards those in their communities.
At the start of her annual carol concert, Kate asked people to “slow down and reflect on the deepest things that connect us all” and turn to “love, not fear,” as she appeared to reflect on the tumult of the year past. .
Since announcing that she had completed preventive chemotherapy treatment in September, Kate has embarked on a slow and measured return to public life, with royal fans applauding her return every step of the way.
Today, well-wishers queued from the early hours to see the royals and waved enthusiastically as they made their way to the Church.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remained in Montecito, California.
Sophie, who has been praised for supporting Kate in recent weeks, was all smiles as she headed to the church.
For the Royals, the festivities usually begin when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family opens gifts, some of which are gag gifts, one of the traditions of the Royal Family.
The family then attends services at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home, Christmas lunch is served, followed by games in the afternoon.