Prince Louis steals the show at Sandringham Christmas walk as delighted crowds shower him with gifts

0
43
SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK - DECEMBER 25: Prince Louis attends the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2022 in Sandringham, Norfolk. King Charles III ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, with his coronation set for May 6, 2023. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

PRINCE Louis stole the Christmas Day show yesterday — delighting crowds who showered him with gifts.

At one point, he pulled open his long blue jacket to reveal he was dressed in purple shorts and socks despite the chill.

Prince Louis pulled open his long blue jacket to reveal he was dressed in purple shorts and socks

Charles and Camilla led a large portion of the Royal Family for the traditional church service at Sandringham

Hundreds of onlookers were delighted to see Prince William and Kate with their three kids

King Charles, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, led a large portion of the Royal Family for the traditional church service at Sandringham — their first without the Queen.

Hundreds of onlookers were delighted to see Prince William and Kate, both 40, with their three kids.

Some called out, “We love you, Louis” while the four-year-old waved back.

He and brother George, nine, plus sister Charlotte, seven, were beckoned over by well-wishers including Gemma Clark, 42, of Long Sutton, Norfolk.

She said: “I spoke to lovely Louis. He is always so cheeky. I gave all the children presents and Louis said, ‘Thank you very much’ and ‘Happy Christmas’.”

Hilary Marsh, 71, from Newmarket, Suffolk, said: “I asked William if Father Christmas had been for the children and he smiled back and said, ‘They’ve had enough presents’.”

Louis, who at one point was pulling his mother along, was seen carrying a Santa-like gonk, a Paddington Bear toy and book, and a posy of flowers.

It was the royals’ first traditional family walk to St Mary Magdalene Church since 2019 due to Covid restrictions.

Visitors had bags checked amid tight security after protesters have twice hurled eggs at Charles this year.

Christine Scrimshaw, 59, of Watton, Norfolk, said: “We’ve decided to come and spend Christmas Day with the Royal Family. But it is very different without the Queen.”

The King, in a camel-coloured overcoat and carrying a walking stick, thanked the crowds and said: “Have you been here for many hours?”

Some 29 Royal Family members were there, including Princesses Beatrice, 34, and Eugenie, 32, plus Zara Tindall, 41, her I’m A Celebrity star husband Mike, 44, and their children.

Zara’s mum Princess Anne, 72, stayed away with a cold.

Onlookers called out ‘We love you, Louis’ while the four-year-old waved back

Charlotte and George were also beckoned over by well-wishers

Prince Harry, 38, and wife Meghan, 41, who criticised the family on their Netflix series, are believed to have spent the day at their £12million home in California.

There was also no sign of Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 63, though she was due to have lunch with the royals after the service.

The previous evening, ITV viewers watched Kate pay tribute to the late Queen during the Together At Christmas carol service. She said the former monarch had “held Christmas close to her heart” as it was a time that “reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family”.

Some 1,800 people, including George and Charlotte, attended the event at Westminster Abbey.

Charles is expected to spend New Year at Balmoral ahead of Harry’s bombshell biography Spare hitting bookshelves on January 10.