King Charles hosts Royal Family for Christmas in Sandringham while Andrew stays out in the cold: Live updates
Fans lined up to see the royals as they headed to church at Sandringham Estate this morning.
First in the queue outside the Sandringham War Memorial gate this morning was Royals superfan John Loughrey, who arrived at 9pm last night.
Mr Loughrey, 70, from Wandsworth, south-west London, spent the night sitting on a folding chair outside the door and said: ‘It was cold but I had heating pads in my jumpers and hand warmers.
‘There’s something special about sharing Christmas Day with royalty at Sandringham.’
Mr. Loughrey arrived with a portrait he painted in 2012 in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, which he hoped to pass on to Prince William.
“I had met him before,” Mr. Loughrey said.
‘I last saw William at the Centrepoint homeless charity a few weeks ago and told him I was bringing a special gift to Sandringham.’
Among the few people in line behind Mr Loughrey were the American husband, Margie and Jeff Brooks, their daughter Elizabeth Brooks, 29, and her husband Caleb Brewer, 30.
Ms Brooks, 62, from Fort Worth, Texas, said: ‘This is the highlight of a week-long holiday.
‘We arrived from London yesterday and will be returning there this afternoon.
‘We all love the Royal family, especially Elizabeth.’
The 29-year-old actor tried to stay warm by wearing a thick hat and said: ‘Apparently it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6C) at home but I wouldn’t miss it.’
Mr Brooks, 63, said: ‘I went to London for Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 because I was studying at Oxford at the time.’
Also in line were royal watchers from Israel and Canada.
Noele Fowler, 65, and her husband David, 66, are taking their daughter Jackie, 35, to Sandringham as a Christmas present.
The family, from Toronto, Ontario, is spending a week in the UK, combining 48 hours in Norfolk with visits to relatives in Guildford, Surrey.
Jackie said: ‘I’ve always been interested in royal history, starting with the Tudors. ‘It’s a pleasure to be here.’
