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MEGHAN Markle placed a hand on Kate Middleton's back in a show of unity as they today brushed aside rumours of a rift for a Christmas Day church service.

The sisters-in-law were all smiles as they joined the royal family at Sandringham for the annual service this morning.

 Meghan Markle placed her hand on Kate Middleton's shoulder as they left Sandringham today
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Meghan Markle placed her hand on Kate Middleton's shoulder as they left Sandringham todayCredit: Francis Dias/NEWSPIX INTERNATIONAL

And Meghan and Kate brushed off feud rumours as the former actress placed a hand on the Duchess of Cambridge's back as they appeared to share a joke.

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex looked radiant in a navy £2,250 Victoria Beckham coat with £1,350 black boots as she held tightly to Prince Harry's arm.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who wore a £3,000 red Catherine Walker coat and £650 burgundy "Halo Band" made by milliner Jane Taylor, walked apart from Prince William.

Kate teamed the festive look with matching gloves and a clutch bag, while the Queen was vibrant in a grey feathered hat and jacket with a bright pink trim.

 The pair seemed to share a joke after the Christmas service
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The pair seemed to share a joke after the Christmas serviceCredit: Francis Dias/NEWSPIX INTERNATIONAL
 Kate and Meghan were all smiles despite rumours of a rift
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Kate and Meghan were all smiles despite rumours of a riftCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The royals appeared to brush off the rumours
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The royals appeared to brush off the rumoursCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 The pair chatted as they walked to the church
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The pair chatted as they walked to the church
 They will be spending Christmas together this year
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They will be spending Christmas together this yearCredit: 2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 The Queen beamed as she made her way to the annual royal tradition
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The Queen beamed as she made her way to the annual royal traditionCredit: Reuters
 The Queen was not joined by Prince Philip today
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The Queen was not joined by Prince Philip todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Meghan hugs a well-wisher at Sandringham today
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Meghan hugs a well-wisher at Sandringham todayCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 The girl looked thrilled to be so close to the Duchess
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The girl looked thrilled to be so close to the DuchessCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Kate beamed as she was handed flowers by the crowds
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Kate beamed as she was handed flowers by the crowds

The pair are spending Christmas together at the Queen's estate in Norfolk.

But newlyweds Meghan and Harry are staying at the main Sandringham estate, rather than nearby Anmer Hall, with Kate and William.

Meghan was also showed her caring side as she hugged long-time Instagram and Twitter follower Jessica Daniels, who she spotted in the crowds.

The 17-year-old, who was holding up a small sign with her Instagram username on it, said: "This is the first time I've met her, she just said 'it's so lovely to meet you, incredible to finally see you'."

Kate spoke with well-wishers as she accepted bouquets of flowers - and admitted Prince George and Princess Charlotte had been up "very early" opening their presents.

Prince Philip, 97, was not at the service today - but the Palace insisted he was "in good health" and wanted to spend his Christmas Day "privately" with his family.
 Kate jokes with a well-wisher in the crowd
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Kate jokes with a well-wisher in the crowdCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 She spoke to young royal fans who had braved the cold
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She spoke to young royal fans who had braved the coldCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Meghan chats to people waiting in the crowds
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Meghan chats to people waiting in the crowdsCredit: AP:Associated Press
 She looked thrilled to be handed flowers
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She looked thrilled to be handed flowers
 It is the second royal Christmas for Meghan
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It is the second royal Christmas for MeghanCredit: AFP or licensors
 Prince William meets the assembled crowd outside the church
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Prince William meets the assembled crowd outside the churchCredit: AFP or licensors
 The couple did not bring their children to the service today
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The couple did not bring their children to the service todayCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Newlyweds Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank smile at well-wishers
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Newlyweds Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank smile at well-wishersCredit: AFP or licensors
 Eugenie got married earlier this year
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Eugenie got married earlier this year
 The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured at Sandringham last year, is not attending today's service
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The Duke of Edinburgh, pictured at Sandringham last year, is not attending today's service
 Princess Beatrice and Autumn Phillips joined the royals
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Princess Beatrice and Autumn Phillips joined the royals
 Peter Phillips - Princess Anne's sons - walks with adorable daughters Isla and Savannah
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Peter Phillips - Princess Anne's sons - walks with adorable daughters Isla and Savannah
 Zara and Mike Tindall are attending the service
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Zara and Mike Tindall are attending the service
 Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child together next year
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Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child together next yearCredit: Reuters
 Meghan curtsies as the Queen leaves Sandringham
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Meghan curtsies as the Queen leaves SandringhamCredit: Rex Features

Prince Charles walked with his sons and daughter-in-laws among the delighted crowds gathered at the church.

But he was not joined by Camilla, who was forced to miss an appearance at the Olympia Horse Show last week due to a heavy cold.

Zara and Mike Tindall are also attending the service, along with Princess Beatrice and Autumn Phillips, who is married to the Queen's oldest grandson Peter Phillips.

It is the second time Meghan has joined the royals for the service at St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham.

Last year, she was snapped alongside Harry, Kate and William smiling as they all walked in together.

 The royals wrapped up against the cold to greet the waiting crowds
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The royals wrapped up against the cold to greet the waiting crowdsCredit: Twitter/@clairemichelle2
 The group shared a laugh together
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The group shared a laugh togetherCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Kate wore a festive red coat and headband
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Kate wore a festive red coat and headband
 The mum of three teamed the look with matching gloves and a clutch bag
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The mum of three teamed the look with matching gloves and a clutch bag
 Pregnant Meghan was radiant in a navy coat and dress
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Pregnant Meghan was radiant in a navy coat and dressCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Crowds have gathered at Sandringham hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals
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Crowds have gathered at Sandringham hoping to catch a glimpse of the royalsCredit: Twitter/@clairemichelle2
 The royal family attend the church service each year
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The royal family attend the church service each yearCredit: Goff Photos
 Fans will be hoping to spot the Queen and Meghan Markle among others
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Fans will be hoping to spot the Queen and Meghan Markle among othersCredit: AP:Associated Press

Crowds lined up from the early hours of this morning to catch a glimpse of the royal family as they made their way into the 16th Century church.

The Prime Minister Theresa May was also pictured arriving at an annual church service in St Andrews Parish Church in Sonning, Berkshire, today.

Ms May was ambushed by a playful Border collie called Blitz as she walked to the church with husband Philip - but thankfully had a dog toy for the pooch at hand.

 Theresa May was ambushed by a playful dog at a church service in Berkshire today
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Theresa May was ambushed by a playful dog at a church service in Berkshire today
 Luckily the PM had a dog toy for the pooch
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Luckily the PM had a dog toy for the poochCredit: David Hartley

The Queen and Prince Philip, 97, arrived at Sandringham on Thursday - travelling down by train to King’s Lynn station.

They were then joined by the other royals and last night opened their presents in a break with British tradition.

 The foursome were all smiles last year
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The foursome were all smiles last yearCredit: Getty
 Pregnant Meghan has been dogged by rumours
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Pregnant Meghan has been dogged by rumoursCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Kate and Meghan are said to be at the centre of a rift
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Kate and Meghan are said to be at the centre of a riftCredit: PA:Press Association

The family give each other gag gifts - with Prince Harry famously giving his grandma a shower cap with 'Ain't Life A B****' written on it in 2013.

And Kate previously gave her brother-in-law a 'grow your own girlfriend' kit.

On Christmas Day, the men head downstairs for a full English - complete with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, kippers and grilled kidneys.

While the female royals tend to enjoy a light breakfast of sliced fruit, half a grapefruit, toast and coffee in their rooms.

Royal running order

  • CHRISTMAS EVE
  • Arrivals throughout the afternoon
  • 4pm: Afternoon tea, followed by gag presents
  • 8.15pm: Black tie dinner
  • CHRISTMAS DAY
  • 8.30am: Full English downstairs for the men
  • 9am: The Queen gets her breakfast in bed
  • 11am: Sandringham church service
  • 1pm: Christmas lunch
  • 2pm: Pudding
  • 3pm: Queen's speech followed by Charades
  • 8.15pm: Buffet dinner
The Queen wears a festive feathered hat as she attends Sunday service at Sandringham with her daughter-in-law Sophie Wessex

Christmas dinner is served at 1pm - and it's a traditional feast with roast turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and Brussels sprouts.

The main is followed by Christmas pudding, which is served with brandy butter and brandy sauce an hour later.

Meghan used to spend advent volunteering in soup kitchen and giving out turkeys to those who could not afford them.

Rumours of a rift between the Cambridges and the Sussexes have been swirling since The Sun revealed Harry and Meg were moving away from Kate and his brother last month.

Numerous sources have suggested the royal wives don't get on.

An insider revealed in November that Meghan had made Kate cry during a dress-fittingfor the Duchess of Sussex's wedding.

Sources said the "stressful" fitting became too much for "emotional" Kate, who had just given birth to her third child, Louis.

Meghan and her dad Thomas Markle have also experienced difficulty throughout the process of her joining the Windsor family.

The pair have reportedly not spoken since her marriage to Prince Harry, an occasion he was not invited to.

Thomas Markle says he texts his daughter Meghan everyday on Good Morning Britain


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