Royals attend Christmas Day church service, where Kate and Meghan meet amid rumours of feud

Kate and Meghan met in public today amid swirling reports of a bitter feud between them. One fan caught this telling moment on camera.

Members of the royal family gathered for the annual Christmas morning church service at Sandringham overnight.

To some of you, the news that a bunch of stuffy Brits went to church will seem mundane.

Others will understand that poring over photos of these people, critiquing their fashion and relentlessly scrutinising their every expression like they’re extravagantly dressed zoo animals, is a time-honoured Christmas tradition that brings joy to millions around the world.

Obsessive royal watching is a sport, like cricket. And this is the Boxing Day Test.

The Queen. 92 not out. Picture: AFP

This year the event brought William, Kate, Harry and Meghan together amid persistent rumours of a simmering feud between the two duchesses.

If you haven’t been paying attention to such things, here is a quick crash course.

An explosive story in the UK Telegraph last month claimed Meghan and Kate’s relationship fractured shortly before the former’s wedding to Harry.

Camilla Tominey, a respected royal correspondent, reported Meghan left Kate “in tears” after an argument over bridesmaid dresses.

A steady stream of leaks has also fed the rumours.

“Kate and Meghan are very different people. They don’t really get on,” one source told the Daily Mail, for example.

“Hello peasant.” Picture: AP

“Act natural.” Picture: AP

Another report claimed the pair clashed over Meghan’s treatment of Kate’s staff.

And tension between them was widely cited as a factor in Harry and Meghan’s decision to move away from Kensington Palace, where William and Kate live, and take up residence in Frogmore Cottage.

That was the venue for the couple’s private wedding party, and is going to be turned into a luxury home with 10 bedrooms and a yoga studio, so perhaps cottage is not the right word. Mansion would fit better.

More importantly, it places Meghan and Harry near Windsor, a healthy 32 kilometres away from Kensington Palace.

But despite all the ominous reports, there were no signs of conflict between Kate and Meghan today, as they strode side-by-side, smiling, in front of the cameras at Sandringham.

“Oh look, more cameras, how delightful.” Picture: Getty

“Keep your distance Harry. But don’t look like you’re trying to keep your distance.” Picture: AFP

Harry: “Ngyargh yargh?” Picture: AP

“I don’t know, walk casual.” Picture: Getty

At this point in the “here are some photos of Kate and Meghan, write some words to go with them” genre of reporting, I believe I am supposed to describe what the duchesses were wearing.

Meghan showed up in a navy blue ensemble, topped off with a powder box bag designed by Victoria Beckham, which costs what I can only assume is a very reasonable $2100.

More knowledgeable fashion critics than I — hard to imagine, I know — described this look as Meghan “bringing her own touch to holiday style”.

Kate wore some sort of hybrid between a coat and a dress, with a velvet collar and sleeves. It was red.

Her outfit was reminiscent of what people wore in the 1940s. The Daily Beast called it a “formal, mature and traditional look”.

Are we doing the boys as well? Harry wore a shirt, tie and coat, like a boring person, while William really shook things up by donning a scarf.

But as usual, the Queen dominated. No one else could pull off this feather hat.

“This brooch is worth more than your house, boy.” Picture: AFP

“Knew I should have put more feathers on this thing.” Picture: AFP

Charles chiming in with the tan coat. Picture: AFP

The moment Harry realises he’s the most boringly dressed person there. Picture: AFP

Oh, and Beatrice was present as well. Picture: AFP

There were two conspicuous absences from the event, with Prince Philip and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, missing.

Buckingham Palace quashed any fears about the 97-year-old Philip, saying he was “in good health”. Camilla pulled out of an appearance at the Olympia Horse Show last week with a heavy cold, and is believed to still be recovering.

The rest of the royals were greeted by hundreds of fans who turned out to see them in person, despite the brisk conditions.

Many of the wellwishers brought bouquets of flowers or wore Santa hats.

And one of them caught perhaps the best photo of the day as Meghan patted Kate on the back — any hint of bitterness between them seemingly forgotten.

A royal watcher's snap of Meghan patting Kate on the back. Picture: @at.home.with.harriet

“I have no idea who you are, strange man.” Picture: AFP

“Thank you for the flowers, very original.” Picture: AFP

“Yes, fellow human, I too enjoy humour.” Picture: AP

Kate meets Disco Santa. Picture: AFP

And the most important fashion battle of all — whose bald patch is balder? Picture: AFP