Fergie breaks silence on surprise royal comeback, Royal kids steal the show at Sandringham
Sarah Ferguson sent a coded message to King Charles after the Duchess returned to the royal family’s public Christmas celebration for the first time in 30 years. See the pictures.
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Sarah Ferguson said she was “feeling grateful” after making her first Christmas Day appearance at Sandringham since 1992.
In what was seen as a coded message to King Charles III, “Fergie” posted a sweet Instagram message with her daughters Beatrice, 35, and Eugenie, 33, to celebrate the royal comeback.
“We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day,” she said. “Happy Christmas to anyone who celebrates and season’s greetings to all!”
It’s a remarkable return from the cold for the Duchess, 64, who hadn’t joined the senior royals at Sandringham for 30 years. It follows an invitation to Christmas lunch and a Boxing Day event last year.
The warmer relations are believed to have come from Queen Camilla, who advocated that Fergie has been a committed mother and remained loyal to Prince Andrew, according to the UK’s Times.
The pair have bonded over their shared love of horses and Fergie being smart enough to “play the game” with Camilla, as part of the Queen’s strategy to be the “power behind the King”.
Fergie was not invited to the King’s Coronation, but the invitation to Christmas was part of the King’s push to end old family feuds amid the continuing conflict between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Prince Andrew was first welcomed back to the Sandringham Christmas event last year.
ROYAL KIDS STEAL THE SHOW
The Royal children have proved they’re naturals with crowds, stealing the show as the family attended the traditional Christmas service at Sandringham.
Rosy-cheeked Prince Louis, wearing smart tartan trousers, waved cheerfully to onlookers on his second public walk to Norfolk’s Mary Magdalene Church.
He walked hand-in-hand with his cousin, Mia Tindall, at one point sharing a cheeky giggle as they strolled a couple of metres behind the King and Queen.
The young prince’s brother and sister Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, eight, were at ease in front of the crowds, warmly greeting people.
The Christmas Day scenes of the Royal Family at Sandringham might have felt familiar but conspicuous by their absence were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have been excluded from the official guest list for the royal festivities.
The stark absence of Prince Harry and his family, adding to the void left by the late Queen, made for a more subdued amble to church in the biting Norfolk wind.
The King and Queen Camilla, wearing matching camel tweed, met the cheering crowds who had forgone their Christmas morning to watch them walk to Sandringham Church.
The Duke Of York, Prince Andrew, walked awkwardly by himself and this year the Duchess Of York, Sarah Ferguson, joined the church celebrations alongside daughter Princess Beatrice who brought her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
“It would be awkward for Prince Harry to join them for Christmas service after the damage caused in the last 18 months — the king will not be blackmailed by the Sussexes to see his grandchildren at Christmas,” said royal author and journalist Robert Jobson.
“There is not much communication at all between the king and his youngest son. They need time and a lot of work for the rift to mend.”
One royal fanatic who had queued since 4am to glimpse the 11am royal stroll clamoured for a handshake, others craned their necks for a joyful greeting, and, one, shouted, “We love you Charles”.
Amid the sniffer spaniels wearing collars of gold tinsel, a ruddy-cheeked policeman merrily chanting “Happy Christmas”, and cheerful children in jolly Father Christmas hats, the royals strutted the annual path from Sandringham estate to church marking biggest international event of the calendar.
There was little mention about the absent Sussexes.
After the publication of Omid Scobie’s book Endgame which unveiled the names of the alleged two royal racists who discussed the colour of skin of the Sussexes until child prince Archie – the King Charles and the Princess of Wales, relations between King Charles III and his son have plummeted to an all-time low.
“There is no contact between the king and Prince Harry,” said royal author Robert Jobson.
The Princess of Wales swaddled in a festive royal blue coat, held Princess Charlotte’s hand while the Prince of Wales, braced against the chill in his customary dark woollen coat, walked through the grounds of Sandringham with their three children for the annual special church service.
King Charles and Camilla enjoyed waving to the crowd. The Duchess and Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie and Edward, were there in loyal fashion, as were Princess Anne, also dressed in a fur-collared camel coat, and Sir Tim Laurence, her husband, who form the inner circle of royals who will spend new year at Sandringham House.
The family last gathered there in 2019, but after a covid hiatus. This year was the first without both Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, who died last year.
Queen Camilla’s children Tom Parker Bowles, 48, and his sister Laura Lopes, 45, have been invited for Christmas at Sandringham for what is thought to be the first time.
The Royal Family continue their festive traditions throughout the period, laying out presents on a table on Christmas Eve and then exchanging them during teatime.
Sandringham was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite retreat at Christmas. The estate, covering 20,000 acres, was originally bought for Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark just prior to their marriage.
Those who gather at the church to greet the royals often give them Christmas cards and gifts. Last year, one wellwisher gave Prince Louis a feathered Santa toy.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the royals said Christmas was a time of unity, but this year the king will use it to reflect on the problems of the year gone.
“It’s absolutely inappropriate for Prince Harry to be part of the Royal Family celebrations because of their outrageous behaviour over the year and the belief that the author Omid Scobie is Meghan Markle’s mouthpiece is not lost not lost on the royals.
“Harry and Meghan cannot be trusted. This is the king’s first official Christmas as monarch and he wants to spend it with those closest to him and those he can trust.”
WILLIAM AND KATE RELEASE STUNNING CHRISTMAS PORTRAIT OF KIDS
Prince William and Princess Catherine have marked Christmas Day by releasing a delightful new photo of their children.
The black-and-white image, captured by photographer Josh Shinner, shows Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis sitting on a wooden bench.
Posting the picture on Instagram, the royal couple wrote: “Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!”
Princess Charlotte takes centre stage in the striking image, throwing her arms wide around the shoulders of her brothers.
Prince George is also smiling directly at the camera while younger brother Prince Louis smiles serenely with his head turned towards his sister.
All three siblings are dressed casually in white shirts for the photo, which was taken as part of a series for the Wales’ family Christmas card — their first communication under their new de facto surname.
Previously, they operated under the family name of Cambridge, until the death of the late Queen when they took on the name Wales.
Though the royal family’s last name is technically Windsor, the children took on the name Wales as their school name.
Yorkshire-born Mr Shinner, whose previous sittings include English actors Florence Pugh and Jodie Comer as well as singer Sam Smith, said it was “a pleasure” to photograph the royal children.
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