With his girlfriend Kate Middleton away in Scotland with her family, there was an opportunity for the ladies to attract Prince William's attention on Christmas Day. And there was no doubting who caught his eye as he attended the traditional church service at Sandringham in Norfolk.
Four-year-old Margarita Armstrong-Jones, William's second cousin and Viscount Linley's daughter, was escorted by her very own prince charming. The little girl grinned from ear to ear as she held on tight to the handsome 24-year-old and Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips.
Margarita wasn't the only royal lady stealing the limelight, however. Zara Phillips, who recently won the BBC's Sports Personality of the year award, earned plaudits from fashionistas for her retro flower-print coat while the Duchess of Cornwall also turned heads in her leopard-print, feather hat which she co-ordinated with a clutch bag.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were also among the royals making the scene outside Sandringham Chruch into something of a catwalk as they showed off their style savvy in blue coats and fashionable head-wear - not to mention their stiletto heels.
Not everyone was able to attend the festivities. Prince Harry, 22, spent his first ever Christmas away from the Queen and his family. The second lieutenant was in his Windsor army barracks with the Blues and Royals regiment. He will no doubt have been thrilled, however, with his Christmas present from his big brother, a £179 Nintendo console.
Harry won't be missing out on New Year celebrations, though. He is due to fly out to the paradisal island of Bazaruto near Mozambique for a romantic holiday with his 21-year-old girlfriend Chelsy Davy. The pair are expected to make the most of their time together as Harry, a second lieutenant, could well be deployed to Iraq as early as next spring.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton's no-show will surprise some royal watchers who had expected her to join her beau and his family for Christmas at the Sandringham estate. The pretty brunette instead spent the day with her family who had reportedly hired a cottage in Perthshire. It is understood she wanted to be with her family after the recent deaths of both her grandmothers. And friends close to the history of art graduate have speculated she would only consider spending a royal Christmas if she and William were married.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
