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The Yorks

Fergie can’t hide her happiness as she joins the Royal Family at Sandringham on Christmas Day

Sarah, Duchess of York couldn’t contain her happiness as she arrived at church with the Royal Family on Christmas Day.

The arrival of Sarah surprised many but the duchess was in great spirits as she made the short walk from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene.

At one point, she was so happy she threw her arms around her former sister-in-law, the Princess Royal, for an impromptu cuddle. Princess Anne, not noted for her hugging tendencies, didn’t reciprocate.

Stephen Lock/ i-Images

Soon after her surprise appearance, Sarah took to social media to say ‘‘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 message was accompanied by a past photo of her with her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, in which all are beaming with joy.

Sarah, Duchess of York will be celebrating Christmas alongside her girls who also walked to church on Christmas morning. Their children stayed behind at Sandringham House but Sarah will also be looking forward to spending the day with them. Eugenie is mum to August, 2, and Ernest who was born earlier this year. Beatrice has a two year old daughter, Sienna, as well as a stepson, Christopher.

After the church service, she joined the royals for the walkabout and was presented with flowers by wellwishers.

Her Christmas joy comes at the end of difficult year for Sarah who earlier in 2023 was treated for breast cancer.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.