Royals’ future in their hands
MEGHAN SPARKLES AT SANDRINGHAM:
MARVELLOUS Meghan Markle was the star attraction at Sandringham yesterday for fans who queued from as early as 2am to catch a glimpse of her.
Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church to see the royals as they made the short trip there from Sandringham House.
But it was Prince Harry’s stunning fiancee who stole the show as she became the first non-member of the Royal Family to join them for Christmas in a break with tradition.
The US actress, 36, showed she has mastered the art of the curtsey as she paid her respects to the Queen, before meeting some of those gathered there.
Judith Wallis, 70, from Chester- field, Derbys, was there with her teddy bear called Maureen – an Armed Forces charity mascot.
She said: “Meghan was lovely. She came up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Meghan’. She’s so beautiful and very sweet.
“Unfortunately Harry said he normally would have a photo with Maureen but that he couldn’t today, which was a little disappointing.” Tess Gilder, who was there with Ms Wallis, said of Meghan: “She was just so natural, so lovely.”
Dorothy Peters, 74, and husband Harold, 77, of Chelmsford, Essex have been going to Sandringham for the past decade.
Dorothy said: “It was lovely to see
them both in person, they are such a handsome couple. Harry told me he was looking forward to having lunch with the family and was going to tune in to watch the Queen’s speech.”
But some onlookers who waited patiently in the cold were left disappointed when Harry told them they could not have selfies. Others spoke of the “lack of Christmas cheer” from some Royals who did not stop to talk, instead marching back to the warmth of the house after the church service.
Sue Reynolds, who lives nearby, said: “We really feel let down today.
“We’ve coming here nearly every year for the past 20 years and for most of the royals to just walk on past us has left us really disappointed.” The Queen arrived in a car with the Duchess of Cornwall, and joined the group from the house which also included the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.
Wearing a bright orange coat and hat, the Queen, 91, chose not to speak to the crowd, instead retreating into the warmth of her chauffeur-driven Bentley to be taken back to the main house of her Norfolk retreat.
Prince Philip, 96, walked to and from church with other members of the family, including Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, William and Kate.
Kate, who is pregnant with her third child, showed a little baby bump beneath a striking tartan coat. She and William stayed to speak to a small selection of the Sandringham staff.
They revealed that four-year-old Prince George was overjoyed at getting a toy police car from Santa – the only gift he had asked for,
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall and husband Mike did not attend Sandringham this Christmas as they are on holiday in Australia with their daughter.
Back at Sandringham House for the Christmas celebrations, the Royal Family traditionally enjoy Sandringham-reared turkey before settling down to watch TV.
Among their required viewing is the Queen’s Christmas message, which this year includes a reference to welcoming new members into the royal family in 2018.