Kate Middleton and Prince William attend Sandringham church service without Prince George and Princess Charlotte

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended the traditional Sunday church service at the Sandringham estate today (Sunday 27 December) joining senior members of the royal family following their Christmas festivities.

The couple stopped to chat to well-wishers who lined the path to the church. The Duchess looked delighted as she was presented with a bouquet of yellow flowers from a royal fan. While Prince Charles, 67, and the Queen, 89, were also seen making their way to the church on the grounds in Norfolk along with Prince Harry, 31, there was no sign of Prince George or Princess Charlotte.

Despite speculation that two-year-old Prince George might make his first appearance at the Christmas service, the toddler and his seven-month-old sister Charlotte were not in attendance.

Among the other royals seen arriving at church were Prince Philip who was accompanied by Princess Anne, Zara Phillips with her husband Mike Tindall, Prince Andrew and his daughter Princess Beatrice,

The Duke of Cambridge was later seen deep in conversation with his father Prince Charles. The royal outing follows their separate Christmas day celebrations as, in a break with tradition, Prince William and Kate hosted an informal Christmas lunch at Anmer Hall in Norfolk to rival the Queen's more austere yuletide festivities at her Sandringham Estate.

Earlier in the week, Kate joined the Queen at Buckingham Palace for her majesty's annual Christmas lunch, with two-year-old Prince George in tow.