Fans queue overnight at Sandringham to catch glimpse of Charles, Camilla, William and Kate on Christmas walk
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Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have opted not to attend to avoid further embarrassment to the royal family. Royal fans desperate for a glimpse of the King, Queen, William and Kate on Christmas Day have queued overnight ahead of the festive walkabout at the royal family’s Sandringham estate.
![[Royal fans gather outside the Sandringham estate to wait for the King and Queen]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/25/10/01JFYHZ13R6Z9RWE5VV7WJXZ9V.jpg)
Charles and Camilla, accompanied by several other family members including the Prince and Princess of Wales, will attend St Mary Magdalene Church for the festive morning service. The family will arrive ahead of the ceremony at 11am, before re-appearing outside by 12pm to greet well-wishers. It will be followed by the king’s 2024 Christmas message from Fitzrovia Chapel in central London which will be aired at 3pm.
![[Prince Andrew will not be attending to avoid further embarrassment for the royal family]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/19/14/SEI233474859.jpg)
The first people in a queue of well-wishers waiting to see members of the royal family walk to church arrived on Tuesday and camped out overnight. Retired chef John Loughrey, 69, from Wandsworth, south London, said he and Sky London travelled by train to King’s Lynn then took a bus, arriving at Sandringham in Norfolk at 7.30pm on December 24.
![[Kate and William at Sandringham last Christmas with their children, from left, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis, with Mia Tindall, the daughter of William’s cousin Zara (PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/19/11/f58d30f3c72f866393d02d832d8cc804Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM0NjkzNTUz-2.74948137.jpg)
“We had sleeping bags with us and a heat pad,” Mr Loughrey said. It was a bit damp last night. “We came here for Catherine. She’s been an inspiration the last year what she’s been through. We want to support her and her family.”. About 45 members of the monarchy and their guests are expected to gather at the Norfolk estate on Wednesday, which has been the traditional Christmas meeting place for the Royals since 1988.
