The royal couple was photographed holding umbrellas as they made their way to a morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, located on the monarch’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Dressed warmly to combat the chilly weather, Charles, 76, looked dapper in a double-breasted tweed coat, paired with a charcoal suit and a blush pink tie. He completed his look with brown suede brogues and held a navy umbrella to shield himself from the downpour.
Queen Camilla, 77, looked effortlessly elegant in a chocolate brown collared coat, black suede boots, and a stunning fur-trimmed hat. She accessorized with leather gloves and a black leather handbag featuring gold hardware.
Adding a touch of sparkle, the Queen wore a glittering brooch and gold hoop earrings. To protect her ensemble from the rain, she carried a clear, dome-shaped umbrella.
Despite the wet weather, the royal couple appeared in good spirits as they interacted with members of the congregation before the service began.
This outing marks Charles and Camilla’s first public appearance of the year, following their Christmas celebrations with the royal family. As part of their annual tradition, the monarch and his wife led the royal procession to church on Christmas Day.
They were accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their two children, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Mike and Zara Tindall with their two daughters.
The Queen’s children, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, attended the service with their respective children but arrived separately.
Notably absent were the King’s brother, the Duke of York, and his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, who remained at Royal Lodge in Windsor amid the controversy surrounding the Duke’s alleged connections to a Chinese spy. Princess Eugenie also missed the event, spending the holidays with her in-laws.
After the service, it is believed that the royal family enjoyed a traditional turkey lunch at Sandringham House. While gifts are usually exchanged on Christmas Day, King Charles and his family followed the tradition of opening their presents on Christmas Eve, a custom from Charles’s German heritage. This tradition, known as Heiligabend Bescherung, was introduced by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
