Royal Christmases at Sandringham - a look back

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The present King and Queen (pictured at Christmas in 2005 with Prince William and Peter Phillips behind them) are well acquainted with St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham

About 45 members of the Royal Family and guests are expected to gather at Sandringham for Christmas as guests of King Charles III.

The Norfolk estate has been the customary Christmas meeting place for the Royals since 1988.

Here is a look back at some moments from Sandringham's Christmases past.

Members of the family often greet the public after the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church - many of whom return each year for the occasion.

Christmas Day 1991 was the last that Diana, Princess of Wales, spent at Sandringham, before separating from her husband the following year

Elizabeth II's Christmas messages to the nation and Commonwealth were often recorded at Sandringham

Meghan Markle spent Christmas at Sandringham for the first time in 2017, having become engaged to the Duke of Sussex in the November

The late queen, seen here in 2019, would travel by train from London to King's Lynn station in Norfolk, for Christmas, heading onwards to her home in Sandringham by car

The church was a picture postcard snowy scene in 1985

Smiling princesses - Beatrice and Eugenie - were handed gifts on Christmas Day in 1997

In 2013, Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived at the church having given birth to her first son George earlier that year

In 2011, Catherine spent her first Christmas in Norfolk following her marriage to Prince William in the April

King Charles spent his first Christmas as monarch at Sandringham in 2022

Young Lena Tindall, Zara Tindall and the Duchess of York showcased their finest headwear at Christmas last year

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