They were joined by the Middletons and Pippa's fiancé James Matthews.
It was certainly a treat when I saw the photos as reporters were told last year it would be "several years" before George or Charlotte would attend the Christmas service. Perhaps they felt St Mark's offered a more informal setting for their first festive attendance.
Fresh from a morning of present opening with George and Charlotte, the group made the short drive to church for the service where they enjoyed Christmas carols and a festive atmosphere with neighbours and other Berkshire residents. Richard Palmer reported: "At the service, overseen by The Rev Nick Wynne-Jones, they joined the congregation singing three much-loved carols: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and O Come All Ye Faithful."
Indeed, George and Charlotte will have been thrilled to see Santa's sacks with their names written on them under the tree or under their beds. The Mail Online reports: "Costing £27 each, they were ordered from Selfridges in London and, according to their makers, are ‘large enough to cater for even the most generous amount of Christmas presents'. The sacks are trimmed with a special festive red and cream ticking that is exclusive to the department store. And appropriately, given that they are third and forth in line to the throne, they have a crown printed on them with the words: Express Mail Service Please deliver the enclosed presents to [Name] Delivery date: 25th December If undelivered please return to Father Christmas, the North Pole." A lovely treat for the children!
It has been reported the couple plan to continue alternating the festivities between Sandringham with the Royal family and hosting Christmas at their country home Anmer Hall, ensuring time is spent with both families, and like this year, spending Christmas with the Middletons in Bucklebury. The couple last spent the holiday in Bucklebury in 2012, when Kate was expecting George and recovering from Hyperemesis gravidarum. It was reported she very much wanted to spend her last Christmas before motherhood with her family.
This year, it is thought, with it being Pippa Middleton's last Christmas before her wedding to James Matthews in May, the whole family wanted to gather in Bucklebury. The next time we see the group at St Mark's will in fact be Pippa's wedding day - she has chosen to have her wedding there with a reception at the family home.
St Mark's is one of Berkshire's hidden gems and rich in history. The parish church, dedicated to St Mark, consists of a tower and a spire, nave, south aisle, chancel and north aisle (or Englefield Chapel). It was extensively restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857. In 1868, the tower was added in thirteenth century style, surmounted by a stone broach spire. The earliest part of the church, the nave, dates from about the year 1190, when the Norman was giving way to the Early English style of architecture. The arcade, between the nave and the south aisle, the eastern triple window of the south aisle, the several doorways and the older of the two fonts are good examples of this transitional period. The south doorway within the porch has been renewed. The older parts are early thirteenth century and the hinges are perhaps especially interesting. The hammered iron, curving like the 'C' is thought to stand for St Clement, the patron saint of smiths.
This year, it is thought, with it being Pippa Middleton's last Christmas before her wedding to James Matthews in May, the whole family wanted to gather in Bucklebury. The next time we see the group at St Mark's will in fact be Pippa's wedding day - she has chosen to have her wedding there with a reception at the family home.
St Mark's is one of Berkshire's hidden gems and rich in history. The parish church, dedicated to St Mark, consists of a tower and a spire, nave, south aisle, chancel and north aisle (or Englefield Chapel). It was extensively restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857. In 1868, the tower was added in thirteenth century style, surmounted by a stone broach spire. The earliest part of the church, the nave, dates from about the year 1190, when the Norman was giving way to the Early English style of architecture. The arcade, between the nave and the south aisle, the eastern triple window of the south aisle, the several doorways and the older of the two fonts are good examples of this transitional period. The south doorway within the porch has been renewed. The older parts are early thirteenth century and the hinges are perhaps especially interesting. The hammered iron, curving like the 'C' is thought to stand for St Clement, the patron saint of smiths.
The Duke, Duchess and the Middletons exchanged festive wishes with Rev Nick Wynne-Jones before departing.
Those expressions :)
Kate and Carole look on as Charlotte walks over a steep step.
In her book, Celebrate, Pippa Middleton wrote of the 'magical' Christmases the Middleton family have enjoyed. Following church, the family will return to the manor where a traditional turkey lunch with all the trimmings will be enjoyed. Afterwards, they may take Lupo and the dogs out for an afternoon stroll, and the evening will be spent chatting (most likely about Pippa's wedding), enjoying drinks by the fire, playing board games and watching television specials. The always-reliable Camilla Tominey reports Carole has organised a Boxing Day shoot at the Yattendon estate in nearby Thatcham.
A lovely mother-daughter shot.
Michael and Carole Middleton purchased Bucklebury Manor in 2012. It is a beautiful property, which boasts seven bedrooms and eighteen acres of land, its own tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty with its own park and views overlooking the beautiful River Pang. The Georgian manor affords the family privacy and will no doubt provide the backdrop for a relaxing family Christmas.
Those expressions :)
Kate and Carole look on as Charlotte walks over a steep step.
In her book, Celebrate, Pippa Middleton wrote of the 'magical' Christmases the Middleton family have enjoyed. Following church, the family will return to the manor where a traditional turkey lunch with all the trimmings will be enjoyed. Afterwards, they may take Lupo and the dogs out for an afternoon stroll, and the evening will be spent chatting (most likely about Pippa's wedding), enjoying drinks by the fire, playing board games and watching television specials. The always-reliable Camilla Tominey reports Carole has organised a Boxing Day shoot at the Yattendon estate in nearby Thatcham.
A lovely mother-daughter shot.
Michael and Carole Middleton purchased Bucklebury Manor in 2012. It is a beautiful property, which boasts seven bedrooms and eighteen acres of land, its own tennis courts, an outdoor swimming pool and is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty with its own park and views overlooking the beautiful River Pang. The Georgian manor affords the family privacy and will no doubt provide the backdrop for a relaxing family Christmas.
Over at Sandringham, it's been a particularly difficult Christmas. Very sadly, Zara Tindall lost her second baby, due in spring. Heartbreaking news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike and Zara. As you will have heard the Queen and Prince Philip had to delay their plans to travel to Sandringham as they both had heavy colds, and this morning, the Queen was unable to travel to Sandringham for the service - which reporters have described as "unprecedented". Wishing her a speedy recovery.
The royals leaving St. Mary's after the service.
Don't forget Her Majesty's Christmas speech will be broadcast at 3 pm on BBC One, ITV, Sky1, Sky News, and can be listened to on BBC Radio 4. You can also watch it on YouTube.
The Duchess opted to repeat the Hobbs 'Celeste' coat she wore Christmas Day in 2012. The £369 brown coat is described: "Wrap up warm in this stunning double crepe wool coat. In a sumptuous seasonal chestnut brown, this coat subtly flares from the hips. It's given an on trend toughened edge thanks to the leather stud fastening, cuff straps and waisted belt". Kate freshened up the piece with the addition of a stole.
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| Hobbs London |
Food Fash Fit suggests Kate wore the ASOS Faux Fur Mini Slot Collar and I think she's right.
Below, a closer look at Kate wearing it in 2012 and again today.
The Duchess teamed the coat with her very popular Tod's Pumps With Fringes. Kate debuted the £267 pair in Canada. The shoes feature an almond toe, fringed detailing and metal buckle on the toe, with leather insole.
It looks like Kate accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl earrings - they have been loaned to her several times this year.
A closer look at Kate's Mulberry clutch.
How darling did George and Charlotte look today? George looked very traditional in a long grey coat and navy socks while Charlotte was cute as a button in a navy coat. Both looked very pleased with their candy canes as they left church :)
You can watch a video on YouTube.
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2016, I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you who visited 'Duchess Kate Blog' this year. I am incredibly grateful and very much look forward to following the Duchess with you in 2017. With that, I'm off to help my mum with Christmas lunch.
It looks like Kate accessorised with the Queen's diamond and pearl earrings - they have been loaned to her several times this year.
A closer look at Kate's Mulberry clutch.
How darling did George and Charlotte look today? George looked very traditional in a long grey coat and navy socks while Charlotte was cute as a button in a navy coat. Both looked very pleased with their candy canes as they left church :)
You can watch a video on YouTube.
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2016, I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you who visited 'Duchess Kate Blog' this year. I am incredibly grateful and very much look forward to following the Duchess with you in 2017. With that, I'm off to help my mum with Christmas lunch.
A very Happy Christmas to you all. I hope it's a fabulous day!
