- Duke and Duchess of Cambridge held hands and smiled as they arrived for annual church service
- Couple left Prince George at home as Sandringham well-wishers called out 'Where's the baby?'
- Kate and William marking their first Christmas with five-month-old prince, who was born in July
- The Queen shared a warm moment with Kate as the family arrive for the traditional Christmas Day church service
- Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated the festive season with Kate's parents Carole and Michael last year
- Prince Harry was serving in Afghanistan last Christmas but has returned from Cape Town to join family this year
New parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Prince George at home as they attended the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham today.
The happy couple held hands as they smiled and waved to the crowds on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church on the Queen's vast Norfolk estate.
But well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Royal Family were left disappointed as Kate and William left their five-month-old baby at home.
One cheeky onlooker even shouted out 'Where's the baby?' as the couple strolled to the church with their fellow Royals.
Holding hands: New parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge smiled and held hands as they arrived for the Royal's Christmas church service, but left Prince George at home
The look of love: Kate and William beamed at each other as they made their way to church hand in hand
Well-wishers: One cheeky member of the crowd shouted 'where's the baby' as Kate arrived for the service
Popular: Around 3,000 well-wishers gathered outside the church to watch them arrive
Kate was full of Christmas cheer as she accepted bunches of flowers from the waiting crowds and stopped to chat with members of the public who had waited in the chilly December air to catch a glimpse of the royals.
Children who gave the Royal party flowers were told Prince George was 'well' and was enjoying his first Christmas Day.
Although Prince George had been left back in the warmth, this Christmas saw a full house at Sandringham as four generations gathered for the festivities on the Norfolk estate.
Wearing a navy and green tartan Alexander McQueen coat and matching green hat by Gina Foster, which was topped with a festive bow, grinning Kate also wore a pair of black gloves to keep out the cold, and her trusty pair of black suede boots.
Meet and greet: Grinning Kate stopped to chat to waiting members of the public as she made her way to church, accepting flowers from well-wishers
Kate was seen curtseying to the Queen, who was wearing an orange coat, as the family attended a private service earlier in the morning.
Prince Harry, still sporting a beard from his exertions in the Arctic with the charity Walking With the Wounded, attended alone despite rumours that his girlfriend Cressida Bonas might join him.
About 3,000 well-wishers gathered outside the church to watch them arrive, lining the path up to the church to get a glimpse of the royal party.
Many wore Christmas hats and carried Union flags and cameras as well step ladders to get a better view, while one mother, who was first in the queue, said she and her family had arrived at 5am to grab the best spot.
When the Royal family arrived just before 11am, the crowd then joined in a rendition of 'God Save the Queen' to start the service while some hummed along to 'Once in Royal David City', 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'.
Head of the family: Queen Elizabeth wore an orange coat with a black fur hat as she left the service
Father and son: The Duke of York and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive for the service
Action man: Prince harry was still sporting the beard he grew during his recent trip to the South Pole
Before the service, which opened with a rendition of Christians, Awake followed by Once In Royal David's City, a pilot entertained them by drawing a smiley face, heart and kiss in vapour trails in the sky.
After the 45 minute service the Queen and her family greeted the waiting crowds, accepting flowers and cards from the public.
Earlier in the day many of the royals had worn different outfits as they gathered at the Queen's Sandringham Estate this morning.
Dressed in a knee-length cream coat teamed with a tartan shawl, the Duchess of Cambridge shared a friendly greeting with the Queen, who wore a glamourous brown fur coat.
The Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Anne are seen arriving at church on the Sandringham estate
Recent years have seen reduced numbers for the Royal's traditional Christmas activities - last year the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to spend Christmas Day with Kate's family in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
Kate had only recently announced her pregnancy and had been suffering from severe morning sickness in the run up to Christmas.
Prince Harry was also absent as he was on tour in Afghanistan, where he served as an Apache pilot.
In 2011, Prince Philip was forced to miss many public appearances, including the traditional Christmas service and walkabout after he was admitted to hospital for a heart operation.
There had been unconfirmed reports that grandparents Michael and Carole Middleton would also attend. There was no sign of them but it is thought they may arrive at the estate tomorrow.
The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge share a warm greeting as they prepare to attend the traditional Christmas Day service on the Sandringham Estate
The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge share a warm greeting
The party also included Mike and Zara Tindall, who are expecting their first child, the Queen's great grandchild in the new year.
Mrs Tindall, who is eight months pregnant, looked glowing in brown boots and a cosy black coat as she attended the annual event.
She carried a black clutch bag and wore a pair of black gloves to help keep out the winter chill.
Prince Harry was also in attendance, and joined his family after a short trip to Cape Town.
The prince will no doubt have some stories to share, following his exertions in the Arctic with the charity Walking With the Wounded.
Prince Harry, who was still sporting a beard, dutifully carried the bouquets of flowers for the Duchess.
Harry also grinned as he mingled with his relatives, dutifully carrying some of the bouquets handed to his sister-in-law Kate.
At one point he went over to a section of the crow and said 'it is very quiet over here' before chatting away and making them laugh.
Ellen Parker, 16, who met the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, said: 'I was very excited waiting in the queue.
'There were lots of questions about George and where he is.
'They said he is well at home.
'I think he is his having a good Christmas.'
Ellen's mother housewife Wendy, 51, said: 'I was amazed by the amount of people. My sister-in-law came a couple of years ago and said it was much quieter.
'I think the crowds have come for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and because of George.
'Kate was so beautiful in real life and the princes were both very handsome.'
The family from Stokesley, North Yorks., were staying with family in Gayton, near Kings Lynn, Norfolk, for Christmas.
Henry Townsend, 12, of Lavenham, Suffolk, who missed out of meeting a royal last year, said: 'I met the Queen and the Duke and Duchess.
'They said thank you when I gave them a bouquet. It was brilliant.
Brothers: A bearded Prince Harry grinned to the waiting crowds, while Prince William also chatted to onlookers
Gathering: heavily pregnant Zara Phillips looked relaxed and happy in a berry-coloured coat as she stood with her husband Mike Tindall
I think it was too cold for Prince George to come.'
Many of the well-wishers were American military families based in neighbouring county Suffolk.
Six-year-old Ian Eidson said meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was 'awesome'.
He said: 'I gave Kate some flowers and she said thank you.
'She is very pretty. She is so awesome.'
His father Scott, 33, an aircraft engineer who is based at Mildenhall, said the event allowed local families to 'come together' at Christmas.
The father-of-five said: 'It is a great opportunity to all come together and share this experience.
Cheerful: The Queen smiled as she accepted flowers and a piece of origami from the public
Seasons greetings: The Queen accessorised her orange coat with fur-trimmed gloves and a hat, while Zara Phillips looked festive in her red coat and hat
Charlene Pontemayor, 31, said it was the last chance for her son Rylen, six, and daughter Riana, four, to meet the royals before the family goes back to California.
Mrs Pontemayor said: 'This was out last opportunity to see them. It was fantastic.'
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were also present for the service, which they attended with their father the Duke of York.
Princess Beatrice looked fashionable as she paired her blue coat with a pair of perilously high heels.
The Earl of Wessex and wife Sophie also joined the family, in one of the biggest annual gatherings for the royals.
In fact the party is thought to be so big, that staff have had to make up rooms in the servants' quarters for some royal guests.
The royal habit of spending Christmas at Sandringham is believed to date to Queen Victoria's reign.
The family traditionally open their presents on Christmas Eve and will enjoy a Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings after today's service.
The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured with the Duke of Cambridge) removed her coat to reveal a tartan Alexander McQueen dress: As the Royal Family arrived at church they were greeted by scores of well-wishers
The Queen and Zara Tindall both wore animal-inspired hats to the traditional Christmas Day service
(Left) The Duke of Edinburgh joined his family on the walk to church and (right) the Duchess of Cornwall wore a navy blue outfit to attend the traditional service
(Left) Princesses Beatrice (right) and Eugenie (left) arrive at church and (right) a bearded Prince Harry returned from a trip to Cape Town to join the festivities
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hold hands as they lead the Royal Family to the traditional Christmas Day church service on the Sandringham estate
The Royal Family look in festive spirits as they walk to church for the traditional Christmas Day service
Prince Philip, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at church this morning for a traditional Christmas Day service
Prince Philip and Prince Andrew arrive at church on the Sandringham Estate this morning
Princess Eugenie leads Princess Beatrice and other members of the Royal Family in the walk to church this morning
The Royal Family take breakfast in the morning before heading to church, their only Christmas Day public appearance.
Afterwards they return to the house for a traditional Christmas meal of Norfolk turkey with all the trimmings.
At 3pm the royal party gathers to watch the Queen's Christmas message.
It is believed that the Queen prefers to watch the message alone, and does not join the guests for that part of the celebrations.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh travelled to Sandringham on Thursday on a scheduled train from Kings Cross to Kings Lynn.
Other members of the Royal Family arrived on the same day and are expected to stay until at least Boxing Day.
The family are thought to prefer to open their gifts on Christmas Eve.
(Left) A heavily pregnant Zara Tindall arrives at church with her husband Mike and (right) Princes William and Harry share a chat as they walk to church
Prince Harry, who has just returned from a short trip to Cape Town following his charity trek, shares a conversation with his brother William on the way to church
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge link arms as they follow other members of the Royal Family into church
Princess Anne also wore a fur coat to the traditional Christmas service. She is seen here greeting the Duchess of Cambridge
Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence walk to church this morning
William and Harry and Prince Charles join other members of the Royal Family on their walk to church
The Count and Countess of Wessex walk to church for the traditional Christmas service with the Duchess of Cambridge
Father-to-be Mike Tindall can be seen (far left) walking to church with other members of the Royal Family including the Count and Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Cambridge
Princesses Beatrice (far left) and Eugenie (second right) walk to church with other members of the Royal Family
Rugby player Mike Tindall (far left) appears to smile at the camera as he walks to church with members of the Royal Family
Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence (left) and Autumn Philips (right) walk to church
Princess Anne and The Queen both wore fur to the service, and together with the Duchess of Cambridge seem to share a joke
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