Royal Family's best Christmas moments from Sandringham 2024 revealed – from Kate embracing a cancer patient to Charles' emotional speech

It has been a joyous festive season for royal fans, as they’ve seen the Firm slowly return back to normal after a challenging year.  

The Princess of Wales and King Charles were both diagnosed with cancer in 2024, with Kate announcing that she had completed her chemotherapy in September. 

Wednesday morning marked a special occasion, as members of family gathered together for their annual Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church. 

The Princess of Wales was seen walking around with her husband Prince William and their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, alongside King Charles and Camilla.

Other members of the family, including Zara Tindall, Lady Louise and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were also in attendance.  

Seeing the family reunited for the yearly visit brought out much emotion, with two women even embracing over the excitement of meeting Kate. 

It resulted in more funny moments, including Prince Louis’s gleeful face as he was gifted chocolates during the festive occasion.

Elsewhere over the winter celebrations, viewers were touched as Kate became visibly emotional during her annual carol concert.

Here, FEMAIL has rounded up the most heartfelt and sweet – as well as joyful – moments the royals have had over December.  

1. Kate’s funny quip as she ‘seems to have lost her family’

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis wait with their father, the Prince of Wales for Kate to finish greeting well-wishers after the Christmas Day church service

Kate Middleton was seen speaking to well-wishers outside St. Mary Magdalene Church

Kate made a cheeky quip to a fan at Sandringham as she was getting ready to leave the Christmas Day festivities yesterday. 

As the royal stood speaking to well-wishers who had come to catch a glimpse of her and the rest of the firm, her children and husband stood patiently waiting a few feet away. 

Sweet snaps showed Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis chatting while Kate shook hands and accepted gifts. 

And when the Princess realised her children and husband William had finished with their socialising she quipped to one royal fan: ‘I seem to have lost my family.’

The three children stood beside their father, William as they waited for her to finish chatting. 

2. Kate and Camilla’s matching moment

In a sartorial display of solidarity, Britain’s Queen and future Queen both picked deep green winter coats with matching fascinators for the royal walkabout at their Norfolk estate on a wintry Christmas morning

Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton wore nearly identical outfits as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene church on Wednesday. 

In a sartorial display of solidarity, Britain’s Queen and future Queen both picked deep green winter coats with matching fascinators for the royal walkabout at their Norfolk estate on a wintry Christmas morning. 

Camilla, 77, and Kate, 42, coordinated their looks right down to their accessories, with the duo wearing black gloves and boots, while also carrying similar black bags. 

While Kate completed her outfit with a navy and green scarf, as well as a pair of dainty diamond earrings, Camilla fastened a sparkling brooch to the lapel of her coat. 

Ever prepared, Camilla also carried a silver umbrella as she walked towards the church accompanied by her husband, King Charles.   

3. Prince Louis grinning while receiving chocolates

Prince Louis, six, couldn’t contain his glee as he accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from fans on Wednesday.

Louis attended the special Christmas Day service on the Norfolk estate with his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and siblings, Prince George, 11 and Princess Charlotte, nine. 

After the service, senior members of the Royal Family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, greeted well-wishers – laden with gifts – who began arriving outside the church Tuesday evening. 

Prince Louis looked visibly excited by the presents he received from members of the public – including a box of Cadbury’s chocolates, Christmas crackers, bouquets of flowers, and an assortment of stuffed toys. 

Prince Louis, six, couldn’t contain his glee as the young royal accepted boxes of Cadbury chocolates and stuffed animals from royal fans at Sandringham on Christmas morning

Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William

In a sweet video from the morning, a very happy Louis had his hands full of gifts before another well-wisher offered him a Father Christmas headband.  

The young prince accepted the headband, politely thanked the person who gifted it and returned to his father and siblings. 

Prince William, who was himself greeting well-wishers with enthusiasm, appeared amused by his youngest son’s haul and said: ‘You’ve got that as well’.

But when the family started to move along the path, Louis appeared to struggle to keep hold of everything he had received.

At that point, he returned to his father and sweetly asked: ‘Papa, can you carry some?’

Princess Charlotte and Prince George also graciously accepted their presents, as they waved to the crowds while standing alongside their father, Prince William. 

4. Heartfelt moment Kate hugged cancer patient  

On Wednesday morning, Kate spoke to well-wishers about her battle with cancer and hugged a cancer patient during a walk with her family in Sandringham.

The Princess of Wales told royals fans she was ‘hugely grateful’ to the hundreds of people who had written to her offering their support after her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

And yesterday she met a cancer patient who travelled to Sandringham to meet members of the Firm, hugging Kate.

The Princess of Wales hugged a cancer patient (pictured) after a Christmas Day service on Wednesday

A woman who worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Princess Catherine that she was an ‘inspiration’ to patients

Karen Maclean, from North Lincolnshire, spoke with both Charles and Kate and gave the princess a hug.

The 73-year-old, who is retired, said she had had ’20 years of cancer’ and spoke about the disease with the King and his daughter-in-law after their own health issues this year.

‘We just had a little talk about cancer, really,’ said Ms Maclean.

‘I’ve met the King before. He said to me ‘I can remember you’, I’m thinking ‘what!’, like many years ago?’

She said that Charles and Kate seemed ‘very well actually, considering what they’re going through’.

She added after hugging Kate: ‘What a privilege.’

Moments after she took a gift for Charlotte from a little girl, who she wished Merry Christmas, a woman who had worked for Macmillan Cancer Support told Kate: ‘I just wanted to say you are an inspiration to all the patients.’

The Princess of Wales replied: ‘The amount of people who have written this year is extraordinary and I think cancer just really does resonate with so many families.

‘People like you are doing all the hard work out there. I’m hugely grateful.’

Another woman added, ‘We’re all behind you, never forget that,’ to which Kate replied, ‘Thank you very much, [that’s] so kind, nice to meet you.’

Members of the public who met Kate described her as ‘radiant’. 

5. Kate accepts drawing from child for Princess Charlotte

Kate accepted a gift from a child as she left the Christmas Day church service with the rest of the Royal Family on Wednesday. 

The Princess of Wales and her children joined the King and Queen as they attended the service at Sandringham and afterwards greeted the crowds outside.

‘Lovely’ Kate, wearing a green coat and a hat, approached fans where one of the children stood and handed the future Queen a drawing of Charlotte, as the people’s faces lit up to meet them.

The Princess of Wales, along with other royals greeted fans outside when the adorable encounter with a royal fan was captured after a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in Norfolk 

The heartfelt moment was one of many captured when the members of the family left the church

The princess said: ‘Did you miss Charlotte? Yeah, should I give it to her when we get back home? That’s so kind of you, there’s your writing. Thank you very much. Merry Christmas.’ 

The cute moment between the Princess of Wales and the little one was caught on camera by other fans nearby.

Many took to social media to share their love for the princess, with one saying: ‘Well done to the P of W, and to the parent who gave her child’s drawing to her. How gracious of them both.’

Meanwhile, another Royal fan said: ‘She is so lovely. An icon.’ while another user said: ‘She is the real thing, nothing phony about Catherine, Princess of Wales.’

6. King Charles’s poignant message to the nation

The King offered an emotional thank you to the ‘selfless’ medics who have supported his family this year during a message to the nation on Wednesday. 

In his annual Christmas Day broadcast, Charles candidly admitted to the ‘uncertainties and anxieties of illness’.

The monarch, who has worked throughout his ongoing cancer treatment, gave an unprecedented glimpse into the depths of his personal battle, as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales.

King Charles took the opportunity to thank nurses and doctors in his Christmas address, breaking tradition during the address

The King, 76, highlighted how much it has meant to him to hear words of encouragement from people who welcomed his decision to make his diagnosis public in the hope that it might help others.

He said: ‘From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.

‘I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.’

The Christmas message was filmed for only the fourth time ‘on location’, with the King choosing a former hospital chapel in London to emphasise the link with the nation’s vital healthcare community.   

7. Kate’s emotional moment during the carol concert

The Princess of Wales appeared visibly emotional on Tuesday night as she concluded her much anticipated ‘Together At Christmas’ carol concert. 

Kate had bravely persevered to host her fourth annual service after her toughest year yet, in which she underwent preventative chemotherapy for cancer.  

The service, which was filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this month was attended by members of the royal family including Prince William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis. 

Although the the future queen spent most of her time beaming during her event, in the final carol, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, the princess appeared visibly moved as she reached the end of her service, holding her candle and her order of service. 

The Princess of Wales appeared visibly emotional as she concluded her much anticipated ‘Together At Christmas ‘ carol concert

As she continued to sing alongside her children, Kate looked moved during the closing minutes of the service – which has marked her greatest return to public duties to date following her difficult year and made for a sparkling achievement. 

The atmosphere in the Abbey, which was lit by candles as the evening drew on, was considered and meaningful, as the princess demonstrated her powerful commitment to her annual service. 

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’. 

The broadcast of Kate’s service featured a special festive message from the royal, 42, in which she spoke about the importance of love and empathy. 

Kate said: ‘Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it’s also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. 

‘It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about. 

‘The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.’

8. Kate and Sophie’s sweet greeting 

The Princess of Wales has shared a sweet greeting with the Duchess of Edinburgh at her Christmas carol service, which aired on Tuesday evening. 

Kate reached out to Sophie for a touching kiss at the royal’s fourth annual Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey on December 6.

The Princess of Wales has shared a sweet greeting with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at a special Christmas carol service (both pictured)

For the mother-of-three, it was her most significant public engagement since completing preventive chemotherapy treatment, and following a most gruelling year amid her shock cancer announcement in March.

Once Kate spotted the duchess, she embraced her with a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek, a fitting greeting for the royal who has provided unwavering and maternal support in her time of need.

The pair looked in their element as they reunited, while the princess continued to show her closeness with the duchess by placing a touching hand on her shoulder.

9. Prince Louis’s adorable note  

Prince Louis hung a sweet note to hang on the ‘kindness tree’ outside the Westminster Abbey as he attended his mother’s carol concert earlier this month.

The young royal, who has routinely stolen the limelight with his comical appearances at royal events, this time stole hearts.

A festive note for granny and grandad: Prince Louis, six, is seen hanging a note to his maternal grandparents on the ‘kindness tree’ at Westminster Abbey at Kate Middleton’s carol concert  

The young royal clutched onto a note (pictured) that read: ‘Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me

As Louis strolled into the Princess’ fourth annual concert alongside his father, Prince William, and his siblings, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, nine, the family are seen in the video quietly observing some of the red notes hung on the festive fir.

And then the young prince steps forward to hang his own red tagged note, a special thank you to his maternal grandparents.

The handwritten festive card reads: ‘Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me’. 

10. Sophie taking style inspiration from Kate at Christmas carol concert

The Princess of Wales has has an undeniably strong bond with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. 

This has been seen time and time again, most recently at Kate’s Christmas carol service, where Sophie decided to take inspiration from the mother-of-three’s wardrobe.

Kate donned an elegant Alexander McQueen red coat with a statement black bow for the event; and Sophie opted for a floral bohemian style dress and white wintry blazer.

It appears Sophie’s sublime look seemed to emulate the princess’s style and as the pair have grown undeniably close over the last 13 years, it is perhaps expected they would begin to mirror one another’s style.

Sophie paired her stylish look with brown boots and a white bag, along with glowing make-up and blonde tresses which were kept loose with a light curl at the end.

Their unique bond was evidenced when Kate, 42, reached out to Sophie for a touching embrace at the royal’s fourth annual Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey on December 6

The Duchess showed up to support the princess in a stylish floral bohemian dress and white wintry blazer

Meanwhile Kate teamed her festive red look with a pair of black Ralph Lauren boots, while her signature brunette locks were styled in loose waves for the occasion. 

And as Sophie at times has looked to the Princess for fashion inspiration, Kate has turned to the Duchess for a helping hand in both duty and personal matters as of late.

Since marrying into the Royal Family 25 years ago, the Duchess of Edinburgh has proven herself to be one of the Firm’s key players, but lately she has stepped up to the plate in a different way – most especially for Kate.

While at the ‘Together at Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey, Sophie was stood by the Princess of Wales, and the following week she got stuck in with Christmas fun with the Disability Initiative charity and sang carols.

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