British Royal Family

The Royal Family's best Christmas photos from over the years

There's something so magical about a Royal Christmas!

Nov 27, 2018 12:00pm
By Bella Brennan
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and let's face it, there's one festive family who do December 25th like no other.
Enter the British Royal Family, who never fail to dazzle us with their Yuletide cheer.

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In between The Queen's speech, their adorable Christmas cards and mouth-watering lunch menu, there's another annual tradition royal watchers can't get enough of - and that's seeing the full cast and crew of the blue-blooded family out and about as they head off to the morning church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
We love seeing our favourite royals all rugged up in festive winter coats on Christmas morning, it's also a chance to see the entire clan interact with one another as well as the public well-wishers who dutifully camp outside to rub shoulders with royalty.
It's a very royal Christmas as The Queen, Duchess Catherine and Princess Charlotte embrace the holiday spirit.
Who could forget Duchess Meghan's historical first royal Christmas last year? Despite not being an official royal wife, Queen Elizabeth broke with protocol and invited Prince Harry's partner along to spend Christmas with her soon to be in-laws.
It was the first time Duchess Catherine, Prince William, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were all pictured together and were soon dubbed "The Fab Four."
But it's not just the young royals stealing the show. Of course, monarch and matriarch Queen Elizabeth never puts a stylish foot out of place and it's always a very special moment when the ruler shows up.
As we countdown to this year's celebrations, we round up the best Royal Family Christmas Day photos from over the years!

Fabulous festive hats

Princess Diana in a broad-brimmed hat with a dramatic veil during Christmas morning at Sandringham in 1993.
Duchess Catherine's furry black hat and tartan Mui Mui coat kept her cosy during Christmas morning in 2017.
For her first Christmas with the Royal Family in 2017, Meghan opted for a camel-coloured coat by Sentaler and a chestnut-brown felt Philip Treacy hat with an intricate twirl at the top.
Bonus points to Duchess Camilla for matching her hat to her purse and coat.
In 2016, the Duchess of Cornwall kept it classic with this circular black creation.
Princess double act: In 2006, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice stepped out in coordinating blue overcoats and pretty headpieces.
For Christmas in 2002, it was all about the feathered hat and floral jacket for Princess Beatrice.
The higher the hat, the closer to god - right, Princess Beatrice?
2006's celebrations saw Beatrice in an eye-catching purple number.
Younger sister Princess Eugenie's stylish feathered fedora turned heads in 2010.
Eugenie was pretty in pink in 2009.
But we think this stunning deep-red headpiece with matching blush lipstick is our favourite look on Eugenie.
Queen Elizabeth wins Christmas in this timeless look!
Who says you can't wear an Akubra to church? Zara Tindall channelled her inner cowgirl in 2004.
In 2008, Zara was all wrapped up like a present in this red hat with a statement bow.

Royal rascals steal the show

Christmas is best lived through the eyes of children and in 2016 Prince George and Princess Charlotte's cute antics made all our Christmas dreams come true when they joined mum and dad at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire.
Name a cuter Prince George moment - we don't think there is one!
Mother-daughter style! Catherine and Charlotte worked coordinating maroon hues for the outing.
It marked a year off of royal duties for the Cambridges, who spent the day with Duchess Catherine's immediate family, The Middletons, at their Bucklebury home.
So adorable! Remember when Charlotte was this little?
Just like when her dad was a wee one, the pair are total scene-sealers!
Prince William leads the way during with cousins Zara Phillips, Lord Frederick Windsor, Peter Phillips and mother Princess Diana behind during Christmas in Windsor in 1987.
Too cute! Prince Andrew with his daughters and a whole lot of gifts back in 1999.
Aww! A baby-faced Prince Harry shows off his braces in 1999.
Before she became the longest-serving monarch, a then Princess Elizabeth was just a little girl who loved Christmas. Here she is in 1929, about to depart King's Cross station in London to spend the holiday season at Sandringham.
Years later with her own children (and corgis!), The Queen spread the Christmas cheer. Here she is in 1962 with Prince Andrew holding her hand, Princess Anne and the Prince of Wales heading off from King's Cross station bound for Sandringham.

Princess Diana's festive fun

Crowds always camp out to catch a glimpse of the royals as they make their way to church and Princess Diana always made sure to stop and talk to the well-wishers.
Royal sisters in-law Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana put their best foot forward in 1988.
Princess Diana and Prince William share a laugh on Christmas morning.
So sweet!
Princess Diana and The Queen following a church service on Christmas Day, 1995.

Sweet family moments

Kisses for The Queen! We love seeing the Royal Family interact with one another and this touching exchange between Duchess Catherine and Her Majesty has to be one of our favourites.
Prince Charles and his daughter in-law Duchess Catherine, who was pregnant with Princess Charlotte at the time, have a chat following the church service in 2014.
Prince Charles with wife Duchess Camilla in 2016.
Cousins Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie make their way into church together.
Whoops! Prince Andrew's hat topples off and older brother Prince Charles finds it most amusing.
Royal brothers Prince Harry and a bearded Prince William in 2008.
Prince Philip shows off his softer side as he lovingly pats granddaughter Princess Eugenie on the head in 1998.
Sweet Prince Philip strikes again as he lends a hand to his mother-in-law, the Queen Mother.
Princess Beatrice helps her grandmother The Queen with a bunch of pretty posies.
The Queen mother with her daughter The Queen outside the church gates in 1996.
The whole family, including Prince Andrew, Princess Diana, Princess Anne, her children Zara and Peter, The Queen and Prince Philip congregate on the church steps in 1985.
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla are joined by Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry in 2011.
Zara Tindall is flanked by cousins Prince William and Prince Harry on a very crisp Christmas morning.
The true stars of Christmas, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2017.
Mother-daughter duo Zara Tindall and Princess Anne.

Winter wonderland

Snowed under! Princess Diana, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and a young Zara Phillips navigate their way through the powder in 1985.
It was a winter wonderland for the royals on Christmas morning in 2009.
Christmas in Narnia! The Queen and Prince Philip in 1985.

Prince William and Duchess Catherine's touching PDAs

It's always a treat to see these royal love birds in action, especially when they're holding hands!
Pregnant with daughter Princess Charlotte at the time, the soon to be parents of two were positively beaming on Christmas morning in 2014.
The couple were keeping close once again in 2013.

Duchess Meghan's first-ever Christmas

Last year, all eyes were on the soon to be Duchess Meghan as she joined the Royals for Christmas. Who could forget this iconic moment when Kate and Meghan curtsied to The Queen?
The outing also signalled the beginning of the Royal Fab Four!
Harry and Meghan had only just announced their engagement the month before.
Kate, Philip and Meghan make their way into church.

The Queen of Christmas and her flawless style

But without a doubt, there is no one we love seeing more on Christmas than The Queen! The 92-year-old always dons an uplifting and stylish bright outfits for the occasion. (All images: Getty)
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