The Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham saw a notable inclusion and a significant absence this year. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the main group of working royals for the festive appearance, while their father, Prince Andrew, was conspicuously not present.
A Festive Tradition with a Notable Change
On the morning of Thursday 25 December 2025, hundreds of well-wishers braved the cold, with some even queuing overnight, to catch a glimpse of the royals on the King's private Norfolk estate. The family made their appearance shortly before 11am for the short walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
Princess Beatrice was accompanied by her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, while Princess Eugenie attended with her partner, Jack Brooksbank. They were pictured alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children. Other senior royals present included the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Zara and Mike Tindall with their daughters.
Warm Engagements with the Public
Following the service, the King, Queen, and the Wales family spent time chatting with the crowds who lined the route back to Sandringham House. Many in the public wore festive Santa hats, tinsel, and reindeer antlers.
The Princess of Wales, Kate, chatted to dozens of well-wishers for almost 20 minutes after most other royals had returned indoors. She was given armfuls of flowers, which were later carried by police officers. Her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, also received gifts from the public, ranging from soft toys to boxes of chocolates and games.
The Context of Andrew's Absence
The attendance of Andrew's daughters within the core royal group highlights the former duke's continued exile from official royal life. Prince Andrew was forced to step back from public duties after his links to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became apparent.
His absence comes as the US government continues to release more files related to the Epstein case. Furthermore, Andrew is preparing to leave his Royal Lodge home near Windsor Castle. He is expected to move to a smaller property, Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate, which is being renovated for his arrival in the New Year. This move followed public outcry over the peppercorn rent he was paying for the Windsor property.
The Christmas Day appearance underscores the ongoing repositioning of the Royal Family, with the King's nieces participating in a major tradition while their father remains on the periphery, his future shaped by the enduring fallout from the Epstein scandal.
