The Royal Family's Christmas Morning Walk in Sandringham: Look Back at the Most Memorable Moments

Mar. 15, 2025

Look back at some of the most memorable snapshots from this year and years past, with all the great coats, fancy hats and happy family moments that entails.

01of 292024Bav Media / SplashNewsAfter what Prince William described as a “brutal” 2024, with his wife Kate Middleton and father King Charles both being treated for cancer, the whole family returned for their annual walk, during which Kate connected with children (bringing home a drawing of Princess Charlotte) andfellow cancer patients.One well-wisher, who got a hug from the Princess of Wales after disclosing her own condition, toldThe Sun,“You get a camaraderie with other cancer victims. Unless you’ve been on that journey you can’t understand what it’s like.”

01of 29

2024

Bav Media / SplashNews

After what Prince William described as a “brutal” 2024, with his wife Kate Middleton and father King Charles both being treated for cancer, the whole family returned for their annual walk, during which Kate connected with children (bringing home a drawing of Princess Charlotte) andfellow cancer patients.

One well-wisher, who got a hug from the Princess of Wales after disclosing her own condition, toldThe Sun,“You get a camaraderie with other cancer victims. Unless you’ve been on that journey you can’t understand what it’s like.”

02of 292024Aaron Chown/PA Images via GettyThe whole family filed out of the Christmas Day service (including Queen Camilla,in a forest-green coat similar to Kate’s). As for what happens inside the walls of St. Mary Magdalene church? In 2021,William recalled of his past years facing his cousins during the service, “I have had the giggles many, many times in the service. Luckily, no one’s filming it, so you can get away with it. And on Christmas Day, it’s fun to have a giggle and enjoy yourself.”

02of 29

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

The whole family filed out of the Christmas Day service (including Queen Camilla,in a forest-green coat similar to Kate’s). As for what happens inside the walls of St. Mary Magdalene church? In 2021,William recalled of his past years facing his cousins during the service, “I have had the giggles many, many times in the service. Luckily, no one’s filming it, so you can get away with it. And on Christmas Day, it’s fun to have a giggle and enjoy yourself.”

03of 292023Samir Hussein/WireImageKate Middleton and Prince William escort Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis and the kids' cousin Mia Tindall to their annual Christmas morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Notably,Louis wore tartan pants for the first time, a departure from his usual knee socks and shorts.

03of 29

2023

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate Middleton and Prince William escort Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis and the kids' cousin Mia Tindall to their annual Christmas morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Notably,Louis wore tartan pants for the first time, a departure from his usual knee socks and shorts.

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2022

05of 29

2018

Stephen Pond/Getty Images

06of 29

2019

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty

07of 292017Chris Jackson/GettyForMeghan Markle’s first Christmas as the Duchess of Sussex (seen here alongside Princess Kate,Prince WilliamandPrince Harry) she wore head-to-toe tan — anddropped her first public curtsy.

07of 29

2017

Chris Jackson/Getty

ForMeghan Markle’s first Christmas as the Duchess of Sussex (seen here alongside Princess Kate,Prince WilliamandPrince Harry) she wore head-to-toe tan — anddropped her first public curtsy.

08of 291998UK Press via GettyThe two teenage princes (with dadPrince Charles) had many admirers on their Christmas day walk.

08of 29

1998

UK Press via Getty

The two teenage princes (with dadPrince Charles) had many admirers on their Christmas day walk.

09of 291988Princess Diana Archive/Getty ImagesIt was a year of big shoulders (for Sarah, Duchess of York, and Princess Diana), lots of cousins (Peter and Zara Phillips andPrince William, andPrincess Beatricewere all present) and serious accessories (incredible hats all around, including on the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, as well as Zara’s teddy bear necklace).

09of 29

1988

Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

It was a year of big shoulders (for Sarah, Duchess of York, and Princess Diana), lots of cousins (Peter and Zara Phillips andPrince William, andPrincess Beatricewere all present) and serious accessories (incredible hats all around, including on the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, as well as Zara’s teddy bear necklace).

10of 291985Tim Graham/Getty ImagesIt was red, white and snowy all over for Princess Diana, Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Phillips.

10of 29

1985

Tim Graham/Getty Images

It was red, white and snowy all over for Princess Diana, Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Phillips.

11of 291969Fox Photos/Getty ImagesPrince Charleslends an arm to his grandmother, the Queen Mother; behind them walksPrince Philip, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew.

11of 29

1969

Fox Photos/Getty Images

Prince Charleslends an arm to his grandmother, the Queen Mother; behind them walksPrince Philip, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew.

12of 291997Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew at Christmas 1997.UK Press via GettyPrincesses Beatrice and Eugenie (with dad Prince Andrew) showed an early fondness for major hats.

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1997

Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew at Christmas 1997.UK Press via Getty

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (with dad Prince Andrew) showed an early fondness for major hats.

13of 291990Princess Diana Archive/Getty ImagesPrincess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York (with Princes Harry and William) were sure to turn heads with their headwear.

13of 29

1990

Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York (with Princes Harry and William) were sure to turn heads with their headwear.

14of 291990Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty ImagesPrincess Diana stole the show in two-tone houndstooth with a matching hat, butPrince Williamand Prince Phillip looked reliably sharp as well.

14of 29

Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Princess Diana stole the show in two-tone houndstooth with a matching hat, butPrince Williamand Prince Phillip looked reliably sharp as well.

15of 292002Justin Goff/UK Press via GettyEugenie continues to display her penchant for high-key headgear.

15of 29

2002

Justin Goff/UK Press via Getty

Eugenie continues to display her penchant for high-key headgear.

16of 292019Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.Samir Hussein/WireImagePrince Edward, Sophie Wessex and their children, James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor, stroll after the service.

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Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex and their children, James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor, stroll after the service.

17of 292019Prince Charles, George and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.Prince Georgeshares thoughts with his grandfatherPrince Charlesand Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

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Prince Charles, George and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Prince Georgeshares thoughts with his grandfatherPrince Charlesand Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

18of 291991Princess Diana Archive/Getty ImagesThe Queen Mother and Princess Diana (seen greeting locals withPrince HarryandPrince William) clearly got the memo that it would be a blue Christmas.

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1991

The Queen Mother and Princess Diana (seen greeting locals withPrince HarryandPrince William) clearly got the memo that it would be a blue Christmas.

19of 291994Princess Diana and Prince William attend Christmas Day services at Sandringham.Tim Graham/GettyDiana and William walk in step.

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1994

Princess Diana and Prince William attend Christmas Day services at Sandringham.Tim Graham/Getty

Diana and William walk in step.

20of 291992Tim Graham/Getty ImagesPrincess Margaret andQueen Elizabethshare a moment after the service. (See more vintage photos from their childhood Christmases here.)

20of 29

1992

Princess Margaret andQueen Elizabethshare a moment after the service. (See more vintage photos from their childhood Christmases here.)

21of 292013Prince William and Kate Middleton on Christmas 2013.Chris Jackson/GettyKate’schic coat streak at Sandringhamremains unbroken.

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2013

Prince William and Kate Middleton on Christmas 2013.Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate’schic coat streak at Sandringhamremains unbroken.

22of 291990Georges De Keerle/GettyPrincess Anne andPrince Williambrave the wind in smart printed outerwear.

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Georges De Keerle/Getty

Princess Anne andPrince Williambrave the wind in smart printed outerwear.

23of 292011Chris Jackson/GettyThe year Kate and William married also marked her debut at the Sandringham festivities (alongsidePrince Charles, Camilla andPrince Harry).

23of 29

2011

The year Kate and William married also marked her debut at the Sandringham festivities (alongsidePrince Charles, Camilla andPrince Harry).

24of 292010Louis Wood/GettyThe Queen (pictured with other members of her family, including her husband, son and several grandchildren) often opts for bright coats to make her easier to spot in a crowd, but this year, there was no missing that hat and cuffs.

24of 29

2010

Louis Wood/Getty

The Queen (pictured with other members of her family, including her husband, son and several grandchildren) often opts for bright coats to make her easier to spot in a crowd, but this year, there was no missing that hat and cuffs.

25of 292014Stephen Lock/i-Images/PolarisAnother Kate coat worth remembering.

25of 29

2014

Stephen Lock/i-Images/Polaris

Another Kate coat worth remembering.

26of 292019Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton.Joe Giddens/PA Images via GettyCharlotte joined her mom to speak to locals along the route.

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Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton.Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty

Charlotte joined her mom to speak to locals along the route.

27of 292015PacificCoastNewsKate and William accepted flowers from well-wishers.

27of 29

2015

PacificCoastNews

Kate and William accepted flowers from well-wishers.

28of 292008Samir Hussein/WireImageThe brothers were both trying some new hair looks that year.

28of 29

2008

The brothers were both trying some new hair looks that year.

29of 292022Joe Giddens/PA Images via GettyKate takes a quiet moment to connect with her three children, Charlotte, George and Louis.

29of 29

Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty

Kate takes a quiet moment to connect with her three children, Charlotte, George and Louis.

source: people.com