PRINCESS Kate hugged an OAP who has been battling cancer this morning as the royals headed to a Christmas church service.
The royal family attended St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk estate for an 11am Christmas Day service.
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Pensioner Karen MacLean is hugged by the Princess of Wales Credit: AFP
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The Royal Family arrived at the church for the Christmas service Credit: Rex
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Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William at Sandringham today Credit: Rex
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The princess knelt down to greet one of the children outside watching the morning church serviceCredit: PA
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Royal fan John Loughrey holds a photo of Prince William and KateCredit: AP
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People gather outside St Mary Magdalene Church on Norfolk EstateCredit: Reuters
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Prince Andrew arrives at Sandringham ahead of the previous royal Christmas gatheringCredit: PA
Hundreds of royal fans gathered outside the gates of Sandringham this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen Camilla.
Pensioner Karen MacLean was hugged by the Princess of Wales after revealing she was battling cancer.
The 73-year-old, from Humberston near Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, described the moment Kate hugged her as “unbelievably good”.
She told The Sun: “We were talking about our illnesses, as we are both cancer victims, when she reached out and hugged me.
“It was really unexpected and such a joy… I gave her a tight hug back. It was such a surreal moment.
“I didn’t expect that at all. It was so incredibly good.”
Another woman, who worked for Macmillan Cancer Support, told Kate: “I just wanted to say that you are an inspiration to all patients.”
She replied: “The amount of people who have written this year is incredible and I think cancer really resonates with a lot of families.
“People like you do all the hard work out there. I am immensely grateful.”
The king, in a camel-colored coat and carrying an umbrella, waved at well-wishers and shook hands with Reverend Dr. Paul Rhys Williams as he took his family to church.
Andrew will never go to Sandringham again – Christmas lunch ban saved Charles from further humiliation, experts say
He was followed by Queen Camilla, dressed in an ivy green coat and beret.
They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, wearing similar green outfits to the Queen, and their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, who waved to the crowd.
Outcast Prince Andrew has not joined the family amid his Chinese spy scandal.
Mike Tindall followed behind the Kensingtons with his daughter Mia.
He could be seen sharing a joke with niece Savannah Phillips as they waited to go to the chapel.
His wife Zara, wearing a burgundy coat and the same headband, walked separately with her brother Peter Phillips and his other daughter Isla.
She was holding hands with her youngest daughter Lena.
Also present were Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Woolf.
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Pomeranian dogs in costume at Sandringham Credit: Reuters
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The king and queen accompanied by members of the royal family
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People gather in front of the Church of Saint Mary MagdaleneCredit: Reuters
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Royals attend Christmas church service at Sandringham Credit: i-Images
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George, Charlotte and Louis joined their parents Credit: PA
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The Princess of Wales speaks to a well-wisher after the service.Credit: PA
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Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall walking in front of the church Credit: Reuters
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Katherine appeared composed and happy as she greeted spectators outside Credit: PA
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Prince Louis with his hands full of gifts Credit: Bav Media
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, in a pale pink coat, walked alongside her daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, in a blue coat and beret. They were joined by Sir Timothy Laurence.
Prince Edward and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, followed behind with the Princess Royal in a red jacket and black skirt.
The Queen’s children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes are also believed to be present, but entered the church privately.
The royal family were seen leaving the church at around 11.45am before mingling with the huge crowd of fans.
Steve and David Link-Smith traveled nearly 4,000 miles from Chicago to see them.
Corporate manager Steve, 63, told The Sun: “We’re big royalists. Even though we’re in the States, we still follow them.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to be here and personally support them at Christmas – especially after the difficult year they’ve had.”
The couple, who stay in Great Yarmouth with Steve’s daughter Anna Cobb, 39, left at 4.30am to secure a good spot.
Princess Kate shares a touching hug with a colleague suffering from cancer
By EMILY-JANE HEAP
PENSIONER Karen MacLean was hugged by the Princess of Wales outside Sandringham this morning after revealing she was battling cancer.
The 73-year-old, from Humberston near Cleethorpes, Lincs, described the moment Kate hugged her as “unbelievably good”.
She told The Sun: “We were talking about our illnesses, as we are both cancer victims, when she reached out and hugged me.
“It was really unexpected and such a joy… I gave her a tight hug back. It was such a surreal moment.
“I didn’t expect that at all. It was so incredibly good.”
She added: “You make friends with other cancer survivors. Unless you’ve been on that journey, you can’t understand what it’s like.”
Karen, who is still being treated for cancer, also spoke briefly with the King, Princess Beatrice and Prince George.
She continued: “Kate looks really good and the King looks pretty good too.
“They didn’t have the best years, so it’s nice to see them back together and united.”
David, 52, said: “It’s our way of showing the royal family that the vast majority of Americans still support them.”
Logistics manager Anna added: “It’s an experience we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.”
Cindy Johnson, 62, also flew in from the US to catch a glimpse of the royal family on Christmas Day.
A nurse from Missouri arrived at the door at 3am.
She said: “I’m a huge royal fan. I’m especially hoping to see Catherine. She’s a People’s Princess like Diana.
“It’s been a very difficult year for both Kate and the King. It’s great to see them back working and on the road to recovery.”
Lynn Moore, 71, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was one of the first fans to arrive at Sandringham this morning.
The retired accounts manager, who brought flowers to give to the family, told The Sun: “Coming to Sandringham for Christmas has been on my wish list for a long time.
“I got up at 4am to be here. It’s such a surreal experience. I hope to see William today.
“She has so much motherly mind in her – she just seems like a very sweet person.
‘Prince Andrew will never go to Sandringham’
By Ryan Merrifield
RUNAWAY Prince Andrew will never go to Sandringham again after being “forced” out of the royal Christmas bash, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of York, 64, reportedly refused to attend the annual festivities hosted by King Charles this year because of his Chinese spy scandal.
The monarch’s disgraced brother is reported to have been invited to lunch with other members of the Firm tomorrow – but has been under pressure to stay away.
Biographer Andrew Lownie told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “I don’t think she will ever go to Sandringham again.”
He added that other members of the royal family “need to distance themselves from him” to avoid any further embarrassment.
It comes after we published photos of the Duke driving alone in Windsor as the rest of the family prepare for the trip to the Norfolk estate.
We also revealed the king’s other brother Prince Edward and wife Sophie were “unhappy” about plans to share the cottage with Andrew over the festive period before he steps down.
“It’s great to see Kate and the King back again after both being down.”
Artist Michelle Luger, 60, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, also arrived at the crack to catch a glimpse of the royal family.
She said: “I was spending Christmas alone so I thought I’d come down and turn a negative into a positive.
“And after Kate’s battle with cancer, I really wanted to show her my support.
“Life is too short and what happened to the Princess of Wales and the royals shows you never know what’s around the corner.
“The country is going through such a bad time and the royals give us hope for the future.
“If a moment like this can unite us all, then it must be a good thing.”
Royal superfan John Loughrey, 69, camped out at the Sandringham gates overnight and hopes Kate will give a bunch of flowers.
The retired chef from Wandsworth, south London, told The Sun: “Kate is an inspiration to all of us as we share our journey with cancer, she is very brave.
“My partner Marion Crean died of cancer at the age of 48 in 2001.
“I pray for Marion every night and now Kate is in my prayers too.
“I wanted to support her and her husband Prince William and the children at Christmas.
“I’m here to see them reunite as a family on Christmas.”
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King Charles III waves to a large crowd Credit: AP
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Kate wore a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenCredit: Reuters
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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince William Credit: Rex
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Kate mingles among the huge crowd of fans Credit: PA
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