Post date: Dec 26, 2013 2:7:53 PM
The Queen and other members of the British royal family attend a Christmas Day church service at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (DECEMBER 25, 2013) (POOL) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth joined members of the British royal family for a Christmas church service in Sandringham on Wednesday (December 25).
The Queen attended the service at St Mary Magdalene Church with her husband PrincePhilip.
In attendance was second-in-line to the British throne, Prince William and his wifeCatherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is popularly known as Kate. The Duke's brother Prince Harry - now fourth-in-line to the throne - was still sporting a rugged beard following his exploits to the South Pole with the charity Walking With The Wounded.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have had a particularly memorable 2013; becoming parents for the first time to Prince George, who superseded William's younger brother Prince Harry to become third-in-line to the throne.
Among the other members of the royal family in attendance was Zara Phillips, one of the Queen's granddaughters. Philips and her husband, former England rugby star Mike Tindall, are expecting their first baby in the New Year.
Following the church service, the Queen received dozens of bouquets from well-wishers who were there to wish her and the rest of the royal family season's greetings.
In her annual Christmas Message to the UK and Commonwealth to be broadcast on Wednesday afternoon, Queen Elizabeth will urge everyone to pause and reflect on service and duty. Millions of Britons are expected to tune in for the seasonal address, a tradition that her grandfather George V started in 1932. In 2012 the monarch recorded her television broadcast in 3D for the first time.