Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Join Christmas Day Walk to Church After 'Brutal' Year

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined their parents, Prince William and Kate Middleton, for the royal family’s traditional Christmas walk to church on Wednesday.

Led by their grandfather, King Charles, the children smiled and greeted well-wishers who lined the route as the family headed to a church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, where the royal family gathers each year to celebrate the holiday.

The family of five coordinated their outfits in shades of blue and green, presenting a united front after a challenging year for the young family. After the service, the children joined their parents in greeting well-wishers who lined the route to catch a glimpse of the family and share season’s greetings. While they shook hands and took selfies, they were also given flowers and small gifts.

Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George after the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on December 25, 2024.

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In a charming moment, as children excitedly collected their treats and trinkets from the crowd, William exclaimed: “Flowers [for Charlotte]chocolate [for George and Louis]. Very simple!”

It’s been a difficult time for George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six, as their mother, the Princess of Wales, 42, was diagnosed with cancer following planned abdominal surgery in January. When she announced her cancer treatment and chemotherapy in March, Kate said she and William were “doing everything they can to process and resolve this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George at the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.

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The sibling trio stayed out of the limelight until June’s Trooping the Colour, which they attended with their parents to celebrate the official birthday of their grandfather, King Charles, who was also diagnosed with cancer this year.

In an emotional video on September 9, Kate announced that she had finished chemotherapy in a video that also features William (42) and their children. Filmed in Norfolk in August by Will Warr, the decision to film there is poignant as the family of five cherish their time at their country home, Anmer Hall, where they are currently staying as they celebrate Christmas with the rest of the royal family. family at Sandringham Estate.

Princess Charlotte attends Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William share touching Christmas card with George, Charlotte and Louis after ‘toughest’ year

A scene from the heartwarming video was used in the Wales family’s Christmas card, released publicly on December 19, a rare move for the family as they usually release a new photo for the holidays – which speaks to how much the video announcement meant to the family.

Prince William walks with his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on December 25, 2024.

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On December 6, George, Charlotte and Louis supported their mother at the annual Together at Christmas concert of Christmas carols at Westminster Abbey and, in another return to normality after a very unusual year, take part in the traditional Christmas festivities at Sandringham, including the annual walk on the morning of December 25 to St Mary Magdalene Church, located at Sandringham. basics.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales and Prince Louis at the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis make first public appearance in six months: ‘It’s been a tough year’

“It’s been such a tough year for them,” Sophie Mirman, founder and creative director of Trotters (the brand behind the burgundy coat Princess Charlotte wore to a carol concert earlier this month), told PEOPLE of George, Charlotte and Louis. “It’s wonderful to see them all together.”

William echoed those sentiments in November when he said 2024 had been “the hardest year of my life”.

Prince Louis with a pile of gifts and goodies given to him by members of the public after a Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on December 25, 2024.

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“It was horrible. This was probably the hardest year of my life… I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, that I dealt with the things that they did. But from a personal family point of view, it was brutal,” he continued.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, addresses the public after a Christmas morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk on December 25, 2024.

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A source close to the royal household said of Kate: “Life-threatening illnesses bring a re-examination of priorities. She and William have always made it clear that family is the most important thing.”

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Source: HIS Education