Sarah, Duchess of York walking to church on Christmas Day

Sarah Ferguson makes royal history with Sandringham appearance

The author has remained on good terms with her ex-husband, the Duke of York

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon

December 26, 2023Dec 26, 2023, 8:56 AM GMT

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Sarah, Duchess of York joined the royal family for the Christmas Day church service for the first time this year in decades.

The author, 64, was seen walking alongside her ex-husband, the Duke of York, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice, 35, and Princess Eugenie, 33.

It is thought the last time Sarah was pictured walking to the church service with Queen Elizabeth II was in the early 1990s, which is normally reserved for close family.

WATCH: Sarah, Duchess of York joins the royals at church

Despite finalising their divorce in 1996, Sarah and Prince Andrew have remained good friends and still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Sarah shared a close relationship with her former mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, and it is thought she has been a guest for Christmas lunch in recent years.

The Duke of York, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrice, Arthur Chatto and Samuel Chatto attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. — Sarah walked to church with Prince Andrew and her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie

She has won plaudits in recent months for her battle with breast cancer, praised for speaking openly about her treatment and setting an example for other women to get screened.

Rachel Bylo, 85, travelled from St Albans and got the chance to wish Sarah a Merry Christmas told PA: "I suppose I’m a royalist and this was a good spot to see all of them.

"Sarah’s girls are her so it’s nice to have here with her girls – Eugenie and Beatrice are lovely."

Sarah Ferguson wearing a green coat and holding flowers on Christmas Day — Sarah stopped to chat with the crowds and was given flowers

For the walk to church, Sarah looked elegant in an emerald green Holland Cooper coat with matching leather boots and a velvet Gucci bag. She matched with her daughters by accessorising with a headband.

Sarah Ferguson standing outside church with Zara and Lena Tindall — Standing outside church with Zara Tindall and her daughter, Lena

The Duchess also shared an older snap on Instagram, showing her linking arms with Beatrice and Eugenie in 2016, as she marked the festivities.

"We are enjoying each other’s company and feeling grateful today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Happy Christmas to anyone who celebrates and season’s greetings to all!" she captioned the post.

View post on Instagram

Sarah is grandmother to Beatrice's daughter, Sienna Mapelli Mozzi, and Eugenie's sons, August and Ernest Brookbank.

Ahead of Christmas Day, the Duchess revealed her plans with her grandchildren. Sharing an image of herself holding dolls of her characters from her Little Red children's book series, Sarah wrote: "We are wrapping plenty of toys (and books) to put under the tree! And it is about time to read Little Red's Christmas Story to my grandchildren again. How is everyone else spending this festive season?"

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