ROYAL XMAS
Kate embraces OAP battling cancer as royals attend Christmas Day church service that Andrew ‘opted to stay away from’
Hundreds of royal fans gathered outside the gates
PRINCESS Kate embraced an OAP battling cancer this morning as the royals went to the Christmas Day church service.
The Royal Family attended St Mary Magdalene's Church on the Norfolk estate for the Yuletide service at 11am.
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Hundreds of royal fans gathered outside the gates of Sandringham this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen Camilla.
Pensioner Karen MacLean was given a hug by the Princess of Wales after revealing she is battling cancer.
The 73-year-old, from Humberston near Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, described the moment Kate embraced her as "overwhelmingly good".
She told The Sun: "We were talking about our illnesses, because we're both cancer victims, when she reached out and hugged me.
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"It was really unexpected and such a joy… I gave her a tight squeeze back. It was such a surreal moment.
"I wasn't expecting that at all. It was so overwhelmingly good."
Another woman, who had worked for Macmillan Cancer Support, told Kate: "I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to all the patients."
She replied: "The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families.
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"People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I'm hugely grateful."
The King, wearing a camel coat and carrying an umbrella, waved to well-wishers and shook hands with the Rev Can Dr Paul Rhys Williams as he led the family into the church.
Andrew will never go to Sandringham again - banning him from Xmas lunch saved Charles further humiliation, say experts
He was followed closely behind by Queen Camilla, wearing an ivy green coat and beret.
They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, in a similar green outfit to the Queen, and their children Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, who waved at the crowds.
Outcast Prince Andrew did not join the family amid his Chinese spy scandal.
Mike Tindall followed behind the Kensingtons with his daughter Mia.
He could be seen sharing a joke with niece Savannah Phillips as they waited to go into the chapel.
His wife Zara, in a burgundy coat and matching headband, walked separately with her brother Peter Phillips and his other daughter Isla.
She held hands with her youngest daughter Lena.
Also in attendance was Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Woolf.
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in a pale pink coat, walked alongside her daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, in a blue coat and beret. They were joined by Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince Edward and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, followed behind with the Princess Royal, in a red jacket and black skirt.
The Queen's children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes are also understood to be in attendance, but entered the church privately.
The Royal Family was seen leaving the church at around 11.45am before mingling among the huge crowds of fans.
Steve and David Link-Smith travelled nearly 4,000 miles from Chicago to see them.
Corporate manager Steve, 63, told The Sun: "We're huge royalists. Although we're over in The States, we still follow them.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to be here and support them in person on Christmas Day - particularly after the difficult year they've had."
The couple, who are staying in Great Yarmouth with Steve's daughter Anna Cobb, 39, left at 4.30am to secure a good spot.
Princess Kate shares touching hug with fellow cancer patient
By EMILY-JANE HEAP
PENSIONER Karen MacLean was given a hug by the Princess of Wales outside Sandringham this morning after revealing she is battling cancer.
The 73-year-old, from Humberston near Cleethorpes, Lincs, described the moment Kate embraced her as "overwhelmingly good".
She told The Sun: "We were talking about our illnesses, because we're both cancer victims, when she reached out and hugged me.
"It was really unexpected and such a joy… I gave her a tight squeeze back. It was such a surreal moment.
"I wasn't expecting that at all. It was so overwhelmingly good."
She added: "You get a camaraderie with other cancer victims. Unless you've been on that journey you can't understand what it's like."
Karen, who is still under treatment for cancer, also spoke briefly to the King, Princess Beatrice and Prince George.
She continued: "Kate is looking really well and The King looks quite good too.
"They've not had the best of years, so it's nice to see them all back out together and united."
David, 52, said: "It's our way of showing the Royal Family that the vast majority of Americans still support them."
Logistics manager Anna added: "It is an experience we'll remember for the rest of our lives."
Cindy Johnson, 62, also flew over from the USA to catch a glimpse of the Royals on Christmas Day.
The nurse, from Missouri, got to the gates at 3am.
She said: "I'm a big royal fan. I'm especially hoping to see Catherine. She's the People's Princess like Diana.
"It's been a very difficult year for both Kate and the King. It's great to see them back out working and on the road to recovery."
Lynn Moore, 71, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was one of the first fans to reach Sandringham this morning.
The retired accounts manager, who brought flowers to give to the family, told The Sun: "Coming to Sandringham on Christmas Day has been on my bucket list for a long time.
"I got up at 4am to be here. It's such a surreal experience. I'm hoping to see William today.
"He's got so much of his mother in him - he just seems like a really nice person.
'Prince Andrew will never go to Sandringham'
OUTCAST Prince Andrew will never go to Sandringham again after being "forced" out of the royal Christmas celebrations, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of York, 64, is understood to have declined to attend the annual festivities hosted by King Charles this year amid his Chinese spy scandal.
The monarch's disgraced brother is reported to have been invited for lunch with other members of the Firm tomorrow - but felt pressured to stay away.
Biographer Andrew Lownie told The Sun's Royal Exclusive show: "I don't think he's going to go to Sandringham ever again."
He added the other royals "need to distance themselves from him" to save any further embarrassment.
It comes after we published photos of the duke driving alone at Windsor as the rest of the family prepared to make the trip to the Norfolk estate.
We also revealed the King's other brother Prince Edward and wife Sophie were "unhappy" at plans for them to share a cottage with Andrew over the festive period before he pulled out.
"It's fabulous to see Kate and the King back out again after how poorly they've both been."
Artist Michelle Luger, 60, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, also arrived at the crack of down to catch a glimpse of the Royals.
She said: "I was spending Christmas on my own so I thought I'd come down and turn a negative into a positive.
"And after Kate's battle with cancer, I really wanted to show my support for her.
"Life is too short and what's happened to the Princess of Wales and the Kings shows that you never know what's around the corner.
"The country is going through such a bad time and the royals give us hope for the future.
"If a moment like this can unite us all then that's got to be a good thing."
Royal superfan John Loughrey, 69, camped out at the gates of Sandringham overnight and is hoping to give Kate a bunch of flowers.
The retired chef from Wandsworth, south London, told The Sun: "Kate is an inspiration to us all for sharing her cancer journey, she's very brave.
"My partner Marion Crean passed away from cancer at the age of 48 in 2001.
"I pray for Marion every night and now Kate is in my prayers too.
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"I wanted to support her and her husband Prince William and children on Christmas Day.
"I am here to see them unite as a family on Christmas Day."
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