Christmas peace for Kate and Meghan
IT WAS smiles all round as the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex put on a united front on the way to church yesterday for the Christmas service at Sandringham.
Speculation was rife whether sisters-in-law Kate and Meghan would walk side-by-side with their husbands William and Harry, as they did last year.
The past few weeks were fraught with rumours of a falling out amid claims that Meghan, 37, made Kate, 36, cry before her wedding.
There were also rumours of a breakdown in the brothers’ close relationship, followed by Harry and Meghan announcing they are moving from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, before Meghan gives birth in the spring.
But to the delight of hundreds of well-wishers who braved the cold yesterday, the “Fab Four” showed no hint of animosity.
With Prince Charles in front of them, William, Kate, Harry and Meghan chatted and waved as they walked to church.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Cornwall were notably missing from the group, due to tiredness and illness.
Palace aides were quick to point out that Philip, 97, was in “perfect health” and spent the day privately with his family.
Former Royal Navy officer Philip, who had a successful hip replacement earlier this year, retired from public life last year, quipping that Tired Philip, 97, missed the service
he was no longer able to “stand up much”.
A royal source said: “The Duke is in perfectly good health, he is just spending the day privately.”
Camilla, who missed the Olympia Horse Show last week due to a heavy cold, is understood to be still recovering.
Hundreds of royal wellwishers put on a brave face for the chilly conditions to catch a glimpse of members of the Royal Family, who traditionally spend part of the festive period with the Queen at Sandringham.
Many onlookers brought bouquets of flowers and some wore Santa hats.
They included, camera phone in hand, Karen Anvil, 40, of Watlington, Norfolk, whose famous Fab Four picture last Christmas Day made world news.
Meghan walked arm-in-arm with Harry past well-wishers, who called out: “Merry Christmas!” to the royal party.
Behind the leading group was Peter Phillips, striding out and holding the hands of his daughters Savannah and Isla.
They were followed by Princess Beatrice and Peter’s wife Autumn.
Then came recently-married Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
The pair smiled at the crowd as they walked towards the church. Towards the back were the Earl and Countess of Wessex with their children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and Zara and husband Mike Tindall.
The Queen arrived in her state limousine with the Duke of York.
The family departed shortly before midday to the main house for their family celebrations.
A Buckingham Palace source said: “As Her Majesty the Queen has often said in her Christmas Day messages, the festive season is a time of togetherness and the Royal Family hold that particular notion very dear. “The lead-up to Christmas is often a stressful time for many people and it is at times such as these that it is important to bring one’s family together and enjoy much of what there is to be thankful for.”
It has been particularly stressful for Meghan in the past few weeks.
Aside from the royal rift rumours, her estranged father gave a TV interview begging the Queen to help reconnect them.
Thomas Markle, 74, has not spoken to his daughter after he was exposed for colluding with paparazzi to sell pictures before Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May.