Christmas Day at Sandringham is an eventful affair for royals, with family arriving from all over the country to mark the big day.
This year marked a new milestone for King Charles, 76, and his wife Queen Camilla, 77, who welcomed their son Tom Parker-Bowles and daughter Laura Lopes to the Norfolk estate to the festivities for the first time.
While they were not seen at the annual walk, it is understood the couple, both from Camilla’s previous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, attended the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
FEMAIL understands that Tom and Laura entered the church secretly to avoid the crowds.
Although the Queen’s children had never attended the annual Sandringham celebration before, Tom previously revealed that his mother had been particularly keen for him to join her this year.
speaking the The telegraph Earlier this year, Tom said: “My mum said, ‘I’d love for you to come, I haven’t celebrated Christmas with you in a long time.’
Her mother had often asked her to join in the past, but she had previously been busy with her own festive jubilees.
For many years, Tom has spent Christmas Day with his ex-wife, former fashion editor, Sarah Buys, and their two children, Lola, 17, and Frederick, 13, with his ex-wife, Sarah Buys.
This year marked a new milestone for King Charles, 76, and his wife Queen Camilla, 77, who welcomed their son Tom Parker-Bowles (left) and daughter Laura Lopes (right) to the Norfolk estate for the first time. Both photographed in 2022.
While they were not seen at the annual walk, it is understood that the couple, both from Camilla’s previous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, attended the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church (Queen Camilla pictured yesterday).
He said: “For the last 15 years it’s been like this: I go back to my ex-wife’s house, sit in my sweatpants, go to the pub while the meat is ready and then try to get my kids to watch The Wild Geese “. . Classic. So this would be a little different.”
Both Tom, 50, a food critic for The Mail on Sunday, and his sister, Laura Lopes, 46, an art curator, are close to their mother.
Laura Lopes, who runs London’s Space Gallery and co-founded Eleven, a fine art gallery in Belgravia, is also mother to Eliza, 16, and twin sons Gus and Louis, 15.
She shares her three children with public accountant Harry Lopes, whom she married in 2006.
Speaking to the publication about what Sandringham was like at Christmas, Tom said he was sure there would be enough cabbages and turkey, and that he had been ordered to bring a smart tuxedo.
It is likely that Tom would also have enjoyed spending time with the king, his stepfather, having previously described him as “the kindest, most knowledgeable and charming man”, to Hello!.
The royals photographed yesterday at the annual walk. Tom would also likely have enjoyed spending time with the king, his stepfather, having previously described him as “the kindest, most knowledgeable and charming man” in Hello!
When speaking of his mother’s relationship with the monarch, he warmly added that “they fit in very well.” “They work well together and we are happy that our mother is happy.”
The food columnist previously spoke about a challenging few years in which his mother battled several health conditions.
talking to The Telegraph, He spoke candidly about his mother, who has been recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa, as well as his stepfather, King Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in his February.
He added that age and illness were a vivid reminder of an individual’s “mortality.”
Although the chest infection temporarily excluded her from royal duties, Tom described his mother as a resilient woman.
He said: ‘She went back to work earlier than she should have, but she’s fine. She is tough. He hates that he missed Remembrance Sunday. That’s a big day for her.
Tom added that “nothing has changed” since Camilla became queen, except that she works “harder” and jokes that she often doesn’t realize what her movements are; Sometimes you only discover you’re on a royal visit outside the UK when you turn on the TV.
Meanwhile, Tom previously confirmed that King’s cancer treatment is “going well,” according to doctors.
But it’s clear the pair have battled health issues together and that has led him to think differently about spending time with the monarchs over the festive period.
(Left to right): Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte
The Prince and Princess of Wales posed for photographs with their three children: George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.
The royal family seemed in good spirits yesterday as they headed out on the annual walk to attend a church service.
Kate, 42, was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla at her Sandringham estate.
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.
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!”
Kate’s infectious smile was testament to her bravery in the face of adversity, as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of the many official public engagements the princess has attended since announcing her treatment for cancer.
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 twinning with her mother, and the young princess was also wearing 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.