Queen Camilla's children Tom Parker-Bowles and Laura Lopes enjoy their first Christmas at Sandringham
- Queen Camilla's children spent their first year at Sandringham this Christmas
- READ MORE: Queen Camilla has been through 'hell of a two years' reveals her son Tom Parker-Bowles as she and King Charles have battled health issues
Christmas Day at Sandringham is an eventful affair for the royals, with family arriving from all across the country to commemorate the big day.
This year marked a new milestone for King Charles, 76, and his wife, Queen Camilla, 77, who welcomed her son Tom Parker-Bowles and daughter, Laura Lopes, to the Norfolk estate for the festivities for the first time.
While they were not spotted on the annual walkabout, it is understood that the pair - who are both from Camilla's previous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles - attended the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
FEMAIL understands that Tom and Laura slipped into the church secretly to avoid the crowds.
Though the queen's children have never attended the annual Sandringham celebration's before, Tom previously revealed that his mother had been particularly keen for him to join her this year.
Speaking the The Telegraph earlier this year, Tom said: 'My mum said, "I'd love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time."'
His mother has often requested he join in the past, but has been previously occupied with his own festive jubilees.
For many years, Tom has spent Christmas Day with his ex wife, former fashion editor, Sarah Buys, and their two children, Lola, 17, and Frederick, 13, with his ex wife, Sarah Buys.
This year marked a new milestone for King Charles, 76, and his wife, Queen Camilla , 77, who welcomed her son Tom Parker-Bowles (left) and daughter, Laura Lopes, (right) to the Norfolk estate for the first time. Both pictured in 2022
While they were not spotted on the annual walkabout, it is understood that the pair - who are both from Camilla's previous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles - attended the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church (Queen Camilla pictured yesterday)
He said: 'For the past 15 years, it has been: I go back to my ex-wife's house, sit in my tracksuit bottoms, go to the pub while the beef's in, then try to get my children to watch The Wild Geese. Classic. So this would be a bit different.'
Both Tom, who is a food critic for The Mail on Sunday, 50, and his sister, Laura Lopes, 46, an art curator, are close with their mother.
Laura Lopes - who manages the Space Gallery in London and co-founded Eleven, a fine art gallery in Belgravia - is also a mother to Eliza, 16, and twin sons, Gus and Louis, 15.
She shares her three children with chartered accountant Harry Lopes, who she married in 2006.
Speaking to the publication about what Sandringham was like at Christmas, Tom said he was sure there would be plenty of sprouts and turkey - and that he'd been instructed to bring a smart dinner suit.
It's likely that Tom would have also enjoyed spending time with the king, his stepfather, having previously described him as 'the kindest, most knowledgeable, lovely man,' to Hello!.
The royals pictured on the annual walkabout yesterday. It's likely that Tom would have also enjoyed spending time with the king, his stepfather, having previously described him as 'the kindest, most knowledgeable, lovely man,' to Hello!
Discussing his mother's relationship with the monarch, he warmly added that 'They're very well suited. They work well together, and we're happy that our mother's happy '.
The food columnist previously opened up about a challenging few years with his mother battling various health conditions.
Speaking to The Telegraph, he spoke candidly about his mother, who has been recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa, as well as his step-father, King Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February.
He added that growing age and illness was a vivid reminder of an individual's 'mortality'.
Despite the chest infection temporarily ruling her out of royal duties, Tom described his mother as a resilient woman.
He said: 'She went back to work before she should have done but she's fine. She's tough. She hates that she missed Remembrance Sunday. That's a big day for her.
Tom added that 'nothing's changed' since Camilla became Queen, except that she works 'harder' and jests he is often unaware what her movements are - at times only discovering she is on a royal visit outside the UK when he turns on the television.
Meanwhile, Tom previously confirmed the King's cancer treatment is 'going well', according to doctors.
But it is clear the pair have together struggled with health concerns and it has prompted him to think differently about spending time with the monarchs over the festive period.
(From left to right): Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte
The Prince and Princess of Wales posed for photographs with their three children: George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six
The royals appeared in good spirits yesterday as they headed out on the annual walkabout to attend a church service.
Kate, 42, was a sight to behold as she walked alongside Prince William, their children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla at their Sandringham estate.
Her attendance followed joyous anticipation after what has been a gruelling year for the Princess, who stunned the world with a shock cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
As King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales walked into the church, the crowds could be heard wishing them a 'Merry Christmas!'.
Kate's infectious smile was testament to her courage in the face of adversity as well as her work ethic, as the Christmas service marks just one of many official public engagements attended by the Princess since announcing her cancer treatment.
It is also the second time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June.
Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and trousers, perhaps paving the way for his son's dashing style, with George wearing a similar ensemble to the future King.
Meanwhile, Charlotte twinned with her mother, with the young princess also wearing a dark green coat.
They were joined by senior members of the Royal Family including Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, as well as Princess Beatrice.
