Why Sarah Ferguson joined the royals for their Christmas walkabout for the first time in years

When it comes to travelling abroad, a number of rules exist to protect The King and other members of his family when they fly overseas and some of them are unbelievable. Whether it is bringing their own alcohol for fear of poisoning or not allowing two or more heirs to the throne to travel in the same plane - all the rules are in place for a reason.There is another important royal custom which has been bought in after a previous experience left the late Queen unprepared for her monumental return to the UK. This rule now affects every member of the Royal Family whenever they travel abroad so that a similar situation doesn't arise.

The Royal Family welcomed back Sarah Ferguson to one of their most significant occasions, suggesting that "all is not lost" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid the rift, a royal expert said. On Christmas Day 2023, the Duchess of York joined her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie along with other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham.

Sarah Ferguson has "earned the right to be included in family occasions" after rejoining the Royal Family for a significant occasion.The Duchess of York, who also goes by the nickname of Fergie, tied the knot with Prince Andrew in 1986 and welcomed two daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.They split in 1992 and shortly after Sarah hit headlines after topless photos emerged of her while on holiday with John Bryan, who was referred to as her "financial advisor". Her divorce from Andrew was finalised in 1996 and the palace announced that Sarah would no longer carry out engagements on behalf of the Queen.

As reported continue to swirl that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying to action their '2024 redemption plan', a royal author has claimed Prince William and Kate Middleton have made it "clear" the Sussexes are not welcome in the Royal Family. Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, are said to be working on rehabilitating their image after a drama-filled few years, but the couple failed to attend another Christmas with the Royal Family, opting to remain in California.

Princess Eugenie has "maintained a close relationship" with Prince Harry amid the Royal Family rift, with hopes that Sarah Ferguson could "act as a mentor" for a family reunion. Since The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, tensions have noticeably grown with the Royal Family, including with brother Prince William and father King Charles.Things blew up after Harry released his explosive memoir Spare last year, along with their tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview and revealing Netflix docu-series.The couple, who reside in Montecito, California, made a modest appearance for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and funeral in 2022, but Harry attended his father's Coronation solo last year.They have since been noticeably distant from the Royal Family with their relationships yet to be rekindled.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's plans for redemption in 2024 have been ruined, according to one royal author, after they decided to spend Christmas in California, rather than with the other Royals at Sandringham. It comes after a rather mixed year for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Prince Harry's memoir Spare becoming the fastest selling non-fiction book in the UK since records began.

After years of being ostracized by the royal family, Sarah Ferguson appears to be back in the fold once again!

The Royal Family owns homes, castles and palaces all over the country with many of them being bought with private funds. While events such as Easter are spent at Windsor Castle, Christmas is typically enjoyed at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Last year's festive period was a huge step forward for more reasons than one.

Telegraph how Tindall has “filled the void” of Harry’s absence, becoming someone that William can “confide” in.Additionally, the sportsman is seen as an uncle-type figure to the Prince of Wales’ kids, Prince George, 10, Prince Louis, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 8. Tindall was spotted having a sweet moment with George on Christmas Day while the royal family attended a church service at St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham.

Sarah Ferguson has opened up on how 'grateful' she feels to be part of the Royal Family's Christmas getaway at Sandringham.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmases have been different since they left the royal family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent the festive period with the Royal Family on the Sandringham Estate in 2018. A year later, they decided to celebrate in America with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland before stepping back from The Firm in 2020 and permanently moving to the States.

After two days of eating and drinking in lavish style, Boxing Day is when many of the royals get up early, pull on their waxed Barbour jackets and wellington boots, and load their guns for a day of shooting on the 20,000-acre Sandringham estate. Although for many of us the day is about strolling off the excesses, playing games and snuggling in front of the TV, senior members of the family are expected to join the hunt for plump pheasants or grouse.

Prince Louis melted hearts as he sweetly held hands with Mia Tindall during the Royal family's traditional Christmas Day walk to church at Sandringham.The young prince was seen wearing tartan trousers and a blue pea coat as he held onto his dad Prince William and Mia Tindall, the oldest daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall. Louis looked thrilled to be walking with his cousin as both had red cheeks from the cold and flashed grins at waiting royal fans.

Along with cringey cracker jokes, fights over the best Quality Street chocolate and post-lunch naps in front of the TV, Christmas Day would not feel right if we didn’t see the royals heading off on their seasonal trip to church. While the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham is a strictly private affair, all eyes turn on the family as they make their way there, often stopping to chat to locals who gather to give their seasonal greetings. Last year, the family headed to church for the first time without Queen Elizabeth II leading the way.

Christmas morning is likely very similar for the Royal Family as it is for many of us up and down the UK. After the younger members of the family have woken up early to see if Santa Claus has been, they will then attend the annual morning service at St Mary Magdalene church. While the church service happens behind closed doors, the Prince of Wales previously revealed some of the best kept secrets from over the years during his appearance on the Apple Fitness + podcast Time to Walk.

While they observe many of the festive traditions that a popular all over the UK, the Royal Family's Christmas is also unique and unexpected in many ways. One of the most well-known royal Christmas traditions is the fact that members of the family buy each other joke gifts, rather than serious ones, with previous presents including a singing hamster, a 'grow your own girlfriend kit' and even a leather toilet seat. Among these hilarious gifts was one Prince Harry decided to give to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. “We’re probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.

With Christmas only days away, the Royal Family will be making their final preparations to head off to Sandringham to enjoy the festive season together. Despite an invitation having reportedly been extended, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look set to remain in California with their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While this does not come as a surprise after a turbulent year of veiled attacks in the form of books, documentaries and interviews, it is likely the couple will enjoy an intimate festive season.

The Royal Family's Christmas celebrations are famously similar to many other families up and down the country - albeit with a few more unique elements thrown in which take their historic German roots into account. While we can expect to see everyone from The King and the Queen to The Prince and Princess of Wales with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in attendance on the morning walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, what do they get up the rest of the day? The main dinner on Christmas Day is one of the most highly anticipated meals of the year and it’s no secret that we like it to run as smoothly as possible.

The royals have enjoyed spending Christmas at Sandringham for decades, and after creating so many special memories there with the late Queen, the King seems keen for them to keep making more. “Christmas at Sandringham has been absolutely central to the family for years, and that legacy looks certain to continue with Charles,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.