- .Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived hand-in-hand for service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham
- .They were joined by Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry and other members of the Royal Family for annual service
- .Kate's younger siblings, Pippa and James Middleton, and her parents, Carole and Michael, also attended
- .But 17-month-old Prince George was missing from procession, after speculation that he might be brought along
- .Prince Charles' wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was absent on doctors' advice after she 'put her back out'
The Duchess of Cambridge apologised to well-wishers after she left Prince George at home rather than bring him to the traditional royal service on the Sandringham estate, in Norfolk.
Kate, whose baby bump was hidden by her demure calf-length coat, arrived hand-in-hand with Prince William for the annual Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
The couple were joined by the Queen, her husband Prince Philip, Prince Harry and other members of the Royal Family. The Duchess's younger sibling, Pippa and Kate Middleton, and her parents, Carole and Michael, were also in attendance.
But 17-month-old Prince George was notably absent. Speaking to one mother who had waited to see the family, Kate said that she was sorry she didn't bring George but said that he would have been heard from inside the church.
Vibrant: After wrapping up in a brown fur coat this morning, the Queen stepped out in a festive fuchsia coat over a raspberry dress
The look of love: Kate and William beamed at each other as they made their way to church hand in hand, with the Duchess demure in brown
Little touches: The Queen completed her bright ensemble with two raspberry-coloured feathers on her hat, and delicate silver broach
Charming: Prince Harry was happy to stop and speak to well-wishers who had gathered outside the Norfolk estate to see the Royal Family
Hands full: The Duchess of Cambridge was handed bouquets of flowers after the service (left) and looked happy with her husband, right
Relaxed: Prince William smiled as he stopped outside the church with his wife to speak to well-wishers, some of whom had waited for hours
Family: The Queen, right, and her husband, Prince Philip, left, led members of their family in two annual services at Sandringham today
Apologies: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured meeting members of the publice with Prince Harry, said she was sorry George wasn't there
His absence followed earlier speculation that the young prince would be brought to the church for the first time.
And Prince Charles' wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, did not attend the service on the advice of doctors after she 'put her back out'.
After the service, the Duchess apologised to a mother and her young daughter for not bringing her son they were among some 2,000 well-wishers who had waited outside to see the Royal Family.
When Maddison Neal, aged eight from nearby Dersingham, gave Kate a Milky Bar selection box for George, she replied: 'I'm sorry we didn't bring George but you would have heard him in the church.'
Maddison's mother Sarah, 37, said: 'We were hoping Kate would take the present but we didn't know if we'd be lucky enough to meet her.
'Maddison met George on Sunday at the service at Anmer church. She helped him with his lantern and he blew her a kiss.'
Kate is around five months pregnant but there was no hint of her baby bump under her brown double-breasted coat, thought to be from Moloh.
Another well-wisher among the crowds, Mary Young, 20, from Dereham near Norwich, said: 'I wanted to come to see Kate. I told her she looked beautiful. She said thank you and that she feels big. She doesn't look it. She also said she was sorry she didn't bring George.'
Hat's the way to do it! The Duchess of Cambridge finished off her look with a brown hat - complete with a playful bow
Greeted with cheers: Prince Harry collects bouquets from well-wishers outside Sandringham, who waited for hours to see the Royal Family
Dressed up: Princess Eugenie's hat added a splash of colour to her outfit (left). Right: Kate speaks to her father-in-law, Prince Charles
Thoughtful: Prince Harry (far left with the Duchess of Cambridge) and Prince William (centre) speak to crowds outside the church
Patient: One young fan takes a photo of the royals on his iPhone (left) while Kate looks animated as she speaks to families outside the church
Catching up: Princesses Eugenie (far left) and Beatrice (far right) spoke to their cousin Peter Phillips and his wife, Autumn, outside church
Bright: The Queen, pictured left in silhouette, wore a vibrant fuchsia coat and hat, and carried a black patent handbag (right)
Gracious: Kate, pictured left, stopped to speak to the crowds of people waiting outside the church as she left the traditional service
The royal couple were joined by the Princess Royal, flanked by her father, the Duke of Edinburgh and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, as they led members of the royal family from Sandringham to the church.
They were followed by Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Peter Phillips, who attended with his wife, Autumn. Prince Harry, who was the last to walk through the gates, was greeted by cheers from the crowds of well-wishers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the family.
Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, joined the royals for the service, along with her younger siblings, Pippa and James. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge invited the Middletons to spend Christmas with them at their new home, Anmer Hall, which is on the Sandringham estate.
But some of those well-wishers were left disappointed as Prince George - who was rumoured to be attending the annual service for the first time - was absent, believed to have been left at home with his nanny.
Leaving church: The Queen leads Prince Philip, Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry from the service
Splash of colour: Princess Eugenie wore a bright pink hat (left). And the Earl of Wessex attended with his daughter, Lady Louise Windsor
Christmas cheer: The Duchess of Cambridge (right) told one well-wisher that Prince George was too loud to be brought to the church service
Christmas cheer: Prince Harry spoke (left) spoke to some of the thousands who were waiting outside. Right: The Queen after the service
Close: Prince William (left), Kate and Prince Harry were followed out of the church by Princess Beatrice and Peter and Autumn Phillips
Beautiful: Princess Beatrice (right) looked pretty in a feminine patterned coat (left) while her sister Eugenie (right) opted for winter white
Relaxed: The Queen, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice are pictured leaving church today
Animated: Kate looked happy to receive a number of vibrant bouquets from people who were waiting outside the Sandringham church
The Queen, who was pictured wrapped up warmly in a brown fur coat as she joined her family for a private service on the estate this morning, arrived slightly later wearing a vibrant fuchsia coat. It was draped over a raspberry dress - which was matched with feathers pinned to her hat.
The royals traditionally gather at the Queen's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk over the Christmas period to enjoy the festivities. It is thought the Royal Family's habit of spending Christmas at the residence dates to Queen Victoria's reign.
Unlike most people in Britain, they follow the German tradition of opening their presents on Christmas Eve. But after today's service the Queen and her family will sit down to a Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings.
After they left the church, the royals were greeted with the cheers of well-wishers, many of whom had waited for hours.
Prince Harry appeared happy to stop and speak to some of those outside the estate, while Kate quickly found that she had her hands full with bouquets of flowers that were given to her.
Family photo: Princess Anne's husband Tim Laurence, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Autumn Phillips, Prince Philip, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry all arrive at Sandringham estate for the annual Christmas Day service
Invited: Kate's younger siblings, James and Pippa Middleton, left, joined the Royal Family along with their parents, Carole and Michael, right
Stylish: Princess Eugenie added festive cheer to her outfit with a cranberry-coloured beret (left) while Princess Beatrice wore grey and black
Children at home: The Duke and Duchess (left) left Prince George at home, much to the disappointment of gathered well-wishers
Beaming: Kate and William, pictured behind Peter Phillips, his wife Autumn, and Prince Philip (front) smile at well-wishers gathered to see them
The Queen is expected to make her first trip to visit Anmer House - a wedding present to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - for the first time since the 10-bedroom Georgian country house underwent a £1.5million renovation.
The Duchess of Cambridge looked demure as she stepped out wearing a calf-length brown coat with matching brown hat. She added an elegant touch of colour to her outfit with a silk scarf in warm autumnal colours.
Princesses Eugenie added a touch of festive cheer to her striking white ensemble with a cranberry-coloured beret. While her sister, Princess Beatrice chose a feminine coat in black and grey. Their father, the Duke of York, was also among the royal party.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were with their daughter Lady Louise Windsor, and Peter Phillips was joined by his wife Autumn.
Arrival: There was a rare appearance by Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex at the service
Wrapped up: The Queen wore a brown fur coat over an elegant pink dress, left, as she attended church with grandson Prince Harry, right
Crowds: Well-wishers started lining up outside the estate at 5am, in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Royal Family at Sandringham
Crisp: Prince Charles was seen admiring the grounds of the estate, left, as his sister, Princess Anne, right, arrived wearing a red coat
The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles' wife, did not attend the traditional Royal Family church service in Sandringham on advice from doctors after she 'put her back out', Clarence House said.
Later today, the Queen will say she has been 'deeply touched' by the 'selflessness' of medical staff fighting Ebola in her traditional Christmas message, and will pay tribute to the Tower of London poppies.
The UK is one of a number of nations that has seen its doctors and nurses volunteer to help countries such as Sierra Leone in West Africa combat the epidemic. In her annual address to the nation, the Queen will praise medics fighting the epidemic, as well as those working to provide humanitarian relief in warzones.
Young royals: Princess Eugenie, left, arrived with Princess Anne's husband, and looked happy speaking to Peter Phillip's wife, autumn (right)
Private: The Duke of York, left, and Prince Harry, right, arrive for the first of two services that will take place on the Norfolk estate today
Determined: Well-wishers gathered outside the royal estate at sunrise - hoping to catch a glimpse of the family as they headed to church
The theme of this year's speech, which comes after a busy year for the Royal Family, is reconciliation.
And the head of state will tell viewers: 'I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.'
The Queen will also discuss the ceramic poppy display at the Tower of London, just one of the major events staged this year to commemorate those who died in the First World War, which began 100 years ago.
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