Fergie’s time

Duchess of York joins the family for first time in 32 years

The Duchess of York joined the Royal family for the Sandringham Christmas Service for the first time in more than 30 years.

Sarah Ferguson made a surprise appearance alongside the King and Queen at the annual gathering where she was seen accepting flowers and joking with the public.

The former member of the Royal family is believed to have last attended in 1991, inset, a year before she split from the Duke of York. After the service, the Duchess posted a picture of herself with her daughters on Twitter with the message: “We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Happy Christmas to anyone who celebrates and season’s greetings to all!”

The short walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church is normally reserved for close family but in recent years it is thought she has been a guest for Christmas lunch. The Duchess has won plaudits recently for her battle with breast cancer and for speaking openly about her treatment, setting an example for other women.

For the second year in a row, Prince Andrew also made the walk, a symbol of his gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy.

His daughters Princess Beatrice, with her partner Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Prince Eugenie, with her spouse Jack Brooksbank, also attended. After the service, the Yorks joined the King and Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales, meeting the public during a walkabout.

Barbara Locke, 80, from Sleaford, Lincs, has been travelling to Sandringham each Christmas Day for more than 30 years. She said about the Duchess: “She’s a nice girl, she fits in and I think she’s genuine. She’s lovely and I like seeing her with the Royal family again.”