Kate and Wills skip Sandringham celebrations to take Princess Charlotte and Prince George to a church in Duchess of Cambridge’s home village and kids steal the show at Christmas with their candy canes
They were photographed this morning arriving at a local church in Berkshire with Prince George and Princess Charlotte
PRINCE George and Princess Charlotte stole the show yesterday as the royal youngsters attended their first Christmas Day church service.
The siblings were said to have been “impeccably well behaved” during mass and were rewarded with candy canes.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge broke with tradition this year to spend Christmas with Kate’s parents Michael and Carol Middleton at their £5million mansion in Bucklebury, Berks.
And with the Queen also missing the annual Sandringham services, Prince Charles led the royal contingent to St Mary Magdalene church.
He was joined by Prince Philip, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry, as well as Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Royal sources said there was “no sense of alarm” about the Queen’s condition and that she had enjoyed dinner on Christmas Eve and lunch with her family yesterday.
Prince Philip, 95, who has also suffered from a heavy cold, walked to the early service yesterday, but was driven with the Countess of Wessex for the 11am mass.
Sources said that he looked “tired and frail”.
Yesterday was the first time the Middletons had hosted their grandchildren for Christmas — and they spoilt them with loads of gifts delivered in personalised bags.
Among 19-month-old Charlotte’s presents was a rocking horse, while three-year-old George was given £44 tartan trousers and matching shoes from Trotters.
The Duke and Duchess arrived with their children at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berks, shortly before 10.30am for the Christmas Day service.
They were accompanied by Kate’s parents, her brother James and newly-engaged sister Pippa with her fiancé James Matthews.
The Sun this month revealed Pippa and James will marry at the same church next May.
Prince George held his dad’s hand as he made his way to the service, which included Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World and Oh Little Town of Bethlehem among its carols.
William, 34, pointed up to the 12th century church’s spire to get George’s attention, while Kate carried Charlotte inside.
The family all featured burgundy in their outfits yesterday. Kate, 34, wore a fitted £369 burgundy Hobbs coat, which she was first pictured wearing in February 2012, with a smart waist belt, a fake fur collar and a clutch bag.
George braved the winter chill in burgundy shorts with knee-high navy socks and a £120 Pepa & Co grey wool coat.
related stories
Charlotte followed the theme with a matching dress and woollen tights with a navy coat. She also had a red clip with a bow attached in her hair.
Prince William wore a burgundy tie with his suit.
When asked how the children had been among the 25-strong congregation at mass, Reverend Nick Wynne-Jones told The Sun: “Impeccably well-behaved.”
He added that there was “colouring and sticking for everyone” but would not say whether the young royals had spent some of the service doing artwork.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte left the church with a spring in their step, clutching the candy cane handed out by staff. George then happily shoved it in his mouth.
Rev Wynne-Jones said his sermon had been about Jesus being the “rock” and the sweets were a “visual aid” to help pass on the message for younger members of the congregation.
When asked about the royal guests, he added: “I know the Middletons, it’s their family church.”