Lovely in lilac! Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, stands out in vibrant coat as she attends Christmas church service with daughter Lady Louise Windsor
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, looked typically chic today as she joined other members of the Royal Family at a special Christmas service in Sandringham.
The duchess, 59, was accompanied by her husband Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and her children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17, at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Sophie, who has been widely praised for supporting Kate Middleton during her gradual return to royal duties, chose a vibrant lilac coat for the occasion, which she paired with a pillbox hat in a complementary shade of blue.
The mother-of-two’s double-breasted, calf-length wool coat had two pockets on the front and was cinched at the waist thanks to a slim belt.
She wore a pair of stylish brown, leather, knee-high boots and carried a small green handbag with a gold chain strap.
Her blond hair was brushed back into a chignon while her hat was adorned with a layer of blue netting.
She kept her make-up simple for the occasion, adding a slick of lipstick and some blush to her flawless complexion, and wore dainty diamond earrings along with a pendant necklace.
Sophie’s daughter, Lady Louise, was dressed in a double-breasted pale pink coat, which she paired with a cream beret.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), was accompanied by her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor (left), son James, Earl of Wessex (back, centre) and husband Edward, Ducke of Edinburgh (back, right)
Louise, who is a student at St Andrew’s University and a skilled carriage driver, completed her ensemble with beige suede block heels.
She looked typically fresh-faced and wore her wavy hair brushed back to reveal a pair of gold earrings.
James and his father, Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, both dressed smartly in suits and ties, walked behind Sophie and Louise, while Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence also joined them.
The family were photographed outside the church with pregnant Princess Beatrice, 36, who attended with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher ‘Wolfie’ Woolf, eight.
Also present at Sandringham was Kate, 42, who was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, and King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Her attendance followed joyous anticipation after what has been a gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
Sophie (centre), accompanied by Lady Louise (left) and Princess Anne’s husband Sir Timothy Laurence (right), wore a vibrant lilac coat for the special Christmas church service at Sandringham this morning
Sophie paired her coat with a pillbox hat complete with netting in a deeper shade of blue
The Princess underwent major abdominal surgery in hospital, after which doctors broke the news that they had found evidence of cancer and advised her to undergo treatment immediately.
She began a gradual and measured return to public life after annoucing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September.
Today, all eyes were on Kate as she looked as positive and radiant as ever, bearing no indication of the challenging year behind her.
The princess dazzled in a forest green Alexander McQueen coat, which she had previously worn during a visit to Leeds in January 2023.
She teamed the coat with a matching fascinator and scarf, as well as a pair of black gloves and black boots to keep warm – as the future Queen waved at the crowds outside St Mary Magdalene Church.
Her silky brunette locks were styled in soft waves, while her make-up was typically understated yet flawless.
Fans have been queuing in Sandringham since early last evening, with several people eager to wish Kate and the Royal Family a Merry Christmas after what has been a particularly difficult 12 months.
King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year, and the monarch is still undergoing treatment for the disease.
Lady Louise, 21, wore a beige coat, which she paired with a cream beret and beige suede block heels
Sophie and her family pictured outside St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, with Princess Beatrice (right of Sophie) and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (right)
One royal megafan, John Loughrey, told Sky News he arrived at Sandringham around 7.30pm on Christmas Eve – hoping to give Kate a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Mr Loughrey said: ‘It’s not been easy on Catherine and her family, so we’ve come to support that,’ he said.
‘And we hope we can see her today and also give these beautiful flowers.’
As King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales walked into the church, the crowds could be heard wishing them a ‘Merry Christmas!’.
Her infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment.
It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King’s birthday parade, in June.
Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son’s dashing style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future King.
Meanwhile, Charlotte twinned with her mother, with the young princess also wearing a dark green coat.
They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice.
Sophie completed her look with a pair of high-heeled, brown leather knee-high boots
James, 17, and Edward, 60, looked smart in suits and ties with overcoats
Princess Beatrice (centre), who is pregnant with her second child, wore a double-breasted tan coat
Earlier this month, the Waleses and other members of the Royal Family came together for Kate’s special Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London.
The fourth edition of Kate’s ‘Together at Christmas’ service was broadcast last evening on Christmas Eve, as the programme paid tribute to individuals from all over the country who have shown love, kindness, and empathy to those in their communities.
At the start of her annual carol concert, Kate called for people to ‘slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all’ and turn to ‘love, not fear’ – as she appeared to reflect on the tumult of the past year.
Since announcing she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy in September, Kate has embarked on a slow and measured return to public life – with royal fans cheering her comeback every step of the way.
Today, well-wishers queued since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as they made their way to the Church.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children Archie and Lilibet remained in Montecito in California.
Sophie, who has been praised for supporting Kate in recent weeks, was all smiles as she made her way to the church
For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open presents, some of which are gag gifts – one of the Royal Family’s traditions.
The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games.
