- Royal fans noticed the Princess of Wales, 42, wore the same hat at Sandringham
- READ MORE: Sweet moment teacher, who travelled from France to meet royal family, tells Kate her work in early years 'means everything to him'
Royal watchers have been comparing Kate Middleton in 2013 and 2024, after spotting that she wore the same hat both years to attend the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham.
Kate, 42, joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, and other senior members of The Firm for the royal walkabout on their Norfolk estate after the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene church on Wednesday.
Overjoyed to see the Princess - who was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year, looking healthy and happy - well-wishers offered their season's greetings, compliments, and gifts to Kate during her most significant public appearance of 2024.
And these compliments continued online.
The mother-of-three donned a green Alexander McQueen coat for her outing this year, which she paired with a co-ordinating hat.
She sported the headwear in 2013, that time, matching it with a navy and green fitted coat.
In the intervening years, Kate has gained a major new title: in 2013, two years after her 2011 wedding to Prince William, she was known as the Duchess of Cambridge.
However, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, she became the Princess of Wales.
THEN: Kate Middleton, the then-Duchess of Cambridge, is snapped attending the 2013 Christmas Day church service in Sandringham
Many fans of the royal took to X (formerly Twitter) to note how little her appearance has changed in the last 11 years.
One admirer wrote: 'How did she grow even more beautiful over the last 10 years??'
Another added: 'And the same hat! So sensible. Recycling. She is just amazing, inspiring, genuine, beautiful.'
In a similar vein, a further X user said: 'Gorgeous then and gorgeous now. Can’t believe it’s been 11 years. Wow!'
Another enthusiastic fan penned: 'Princess Catherine truly seems to have discovered the secret to timeless beauty - perhaps it’s a royal family spell! The older she gets, the younger and more radiant she appears. Maybe we should all start calling her the ‘Ageless Princess’! Truly magical.'
'She hadn’t changed at all but her smile is more beautiful today,' a further social media user wrote.
And a further added: 'Bless her kind heart. HRH deserves every ounce of happiness the world can offer!'
Taking to the platform to share their thoughts, another poster wrote: 'She’s as beautiful now as she was then. Beauty comes from within.'
NOW: The now-Princess of Wales is seen wearing the same hat 11 years later, prompting fans to comment on social media
Meanwhile, another noted how the royal has flourished as part of The Firm, adding: 'She’s certainly grown into her role.'
Every year members of the Royal Family attend the service at the Sandringham Church.
Before going in, those there - including the King and Queen among others - posed for a photo outside the church.
The Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams greeted them, before everyone went inside, where the national anthem was sung, before the first hymn - O Come, All Ye Faithful.
Every year, the service marks a major event for royal fans, some of whom even started waiting the evening before, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of members of The Firm as they walked to church.
Charles, 76, and 77-year-old Queen Camilla walked the short distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church past a crowd of well-wishers.
Royal fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to compliment the royal, with one saying she has 'grown into her role' over the last decade
They were, of course, joined by the Waleses, as well as the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Crowds were given copies of the order of service, conducted at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, conducted by the Rector Rev Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams.
Hymns included O Come All Ye Faithful, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The service also included The Lord's Prayer.
For the Royals, festivities usually start when everyone arrives on Christmas Eve. The family open their presents, some of which are gag gifts - one of the Royal Family's traditions.
The family then attend services at Saint Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning. Once they get home Christmas lunch is served, followed by afternoon games.
