Queen Camilla’s children, Tom Parker-Bowles and Laura Lopes, enjoy their first Christmas at Sandringham

Christmas Day at Sandringham is an eventful affair for the royals, with families traveling from across the country to celebrate the big day.

This year marked a new milestone for King Charles, 76, and his wife, Queen Camilla, 77, who welcomed their son Tom Parker-Bowles and daughter Laura Lopes to the celebrations at the Norfolk estate for the first time.

While they were not seen at the annual walking tour, it is understood the couple – who are both from Camilla’s previous marriage to ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles – attended the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

FEMAIL learns that Tom and Laura secretly sneaked into the church to avoid the crowds.

Although the Queen’s children have never attended the annual Sandringham celebrations before, Tom previously revealed that his mother was particularly keen to have him accompany her this year.

Speaking to The Telegraph earlier this year, Tom said: “My mum said, ‘I’d love if you came, I haven’t spent Christmas with you for a long time.'”

His mother has asked him to attend many times in the past, but was previously busy with his own celebratory anniversaries.

For many years, Tom has spent Christmas Day with his ex-wife, former fashion editor Sarah Buys, and his two children Lola (17) and Frederick (13) with his ex-wife Sarah Buys.

He said: “It’s been like this for 15 years: I go back to my ex-wife’s house, sit in my tracksuit bottoms, go to the pub while the beef is being served and then try to get my kids to watch ‘Them.’ “Wild Geese”. Classic. So that would be a little different.’

Both Tom, 50, a food critic for The Mail on Sunday, and his sister Laura Lopes, 46, an art curator, are close to their mother.

Laura Lopes – who runs Space Gallery in London and co-founder of Eleven, an art gallery in Belgravia – is also mother to Eliza, 16, and twin sons Gus and Louis, 15.

She shares her three children with accountant Harry Lopes, whom she married in 2006.

Speaking to the publication about what Sandringham was like for Christmas, Tom said he was sure there would be plenty of Brussels sprouts and turkey – and that he had been instructed to bring a smart suit.

It’s likely that Tom would also have liked to spend time with the King, his stepfather, having previously revealed him to Hello! as “the nicest, most knowledgeable and most lovable man.”

Speaking about his mother’s relationship with the monarch, he warmly added: “They are very compatible.” They work well together and we are happy that our mother is doing well.

The food columnist previously opened up about the difficult years during which his mother struggled with various health issues.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he spoke candidly about his mother, who has been recovering from pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa, as well as his stepfather, King Charles, who was diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer in February.

He added that increasing age and illness were a stark reminder of a person’s “mortality.”

Although the chest infection temporarily sidelined her from royal duties, Tom described his mother as a resilient woman.

He said: “She went back to work earlier than she should have, but she’s fine. “She’s tough. She hates that she missed Remembrance Sunday. This is a big day for her.

Tom added that “nothing has changed” since Camilla became queen except that she works “harder” and joked that he is often unaware of her movements – sometimes only finding out that she is on a royal visit outside the UK is when he turns on the TV.

Meanwhile, according to doctors, Tom previously confirmed that the King’s cancer treatment was “going well.”

However, it’s clear that the couple has struggled with health concerns together, and it’s made him think differently about spending time with the monarchs over the holidays.

The royals were in good spirits yesterday as they made their way to the annual church service.

Kate, 42, was a sight to behold as she strolled around her Sandringham estate alongside Prince William, her children Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Her visit was a wake of joyful anticipation after a busy year for the princess, who stunned the world with a shocking cancer diagnosis in March 2024.

As King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales entered the church, the crowd could be heard wishing them “Merry Christmas!”

Kate’s infectious smile was a testament to her courage in the face of adversity and her work ethic, as the Christmas service is just one of many official public appearances the Princess has made since announcing her cancer treatment.

It is also the second time the Welsh family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Color, the King’s birthday parade, in June.

Prince William, 42, looked dapper in a navy coat and pants, perhaps paving the way for his son’s dashing style, while George wore a similar ensemble to the future king.

Meanwhile, Charlotte partnered 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 and Princess Beatrice.