Let it rain . . . for Royals at Sandringham
POURING rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the Royal Family, or the 600 people who turned out to see them attend morning service at Sandringham Church on Christmas Day.
Royal-watchers were treated to a fashion spectacular, after singing carols in the rain during the wettest December 25 on the Royal Estate since The Queen and her family began spending Christmas there in 1988.
Leading the fashion stakes were Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, with Princess Beatrice wearing an unusual blue fascinator on the side of her head and her sister in an off-white coat with matching beret. Both walked easily in the rain in amazingly high heels.
The Queen, in a full-length beige coat with big buttons, wore a striking feathered hat and held her own umbrella, as she collected flowers from 50 children, while the Princess Royal sported a green tweed coat and yellow hat.
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a royal purple coat with a large, trimmed black hat and delighted the crowd by stopping to talk to them.
Viscount Linley's children, five-year-old Margarita and her eight-year-old brother Charles, stole the day as they helped The Queen collect flowers from children outside the church lychgate.
The Duke of Edinburgh held an umbrella over them to keep them dry, as the youngsters struggled with big bunches of flowers before handing them over to detectives. The Queen was particularly amused by one young lad wearing a Union Jack jester-style hat to keep out the rain.
The Earl of Wessex was asked if Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their new baby, James, back at Sandringham House, were well, to which he replied: "Yes, absolutely."
Prince Charles was also in the Royal Party, as were the Duke of York and Viscount and Viscountess Linley.
The crowd was delighted to see Princess Anne and her husband, Admiral Timothy Laurence, walking arm-in-arm.
Claudette Bannock (70), from Norwich, said: "Princess Anne looked really happy. I was very pleased to see her holding her husband's arm. They kept close.
"They looked really happy and affectionate together – they are clearly having a good Christmas. I hope this continues for them."
The Duchess of Cornwall caught the eye of Rachel Tomlinson (30), from Stamford, Lincolnshire, who said: "The Duchess looked very attractive. She seemed very glamorous. She looked stunning in her purple coat."
And Joan Carpenter (65), from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, added: "The Duchess looked absolutely regal, very smart. She was nice and cheerful on a day like this."
Sandringham Rector, the Rev Jonathan Riviere, led the 45-minute service and after church the Royal Family returned to Sandringham House for lunch and then watched The Queen's speech.
Zara Phillips joined them for lunch while Prince William, who was on army duties, arrived after lunch. Prince Harry, who is also on army duties, will not be at Sandringham at all over the Christmas break.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
