William’s day with in-laws as he and Kate dodge the rain

Published on 26/12/2012 00:00

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended Christmas morning church service together in Berkshire.

They were accompanied by the duchess’s mother Carole, sister Pippa and brother James, who all made the short journey to the church from the Middletons’ new family manor home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

After the hour-long service, Kate and William chatted outside to the handful of other worshippers who had attended the service at St Mark’s Church, Englefield.

They emerged into the sunshine after earlier avoiding a deluge of heavy rain and looked happy as they walked to a waiting Range Rover to take them back to the manor for lunch. The duke was clutching an umbrella, as was Pippa.

Kate, wearing a burgundy coat, matching ankle boots and a deep red scarf, smiled and talked animatedly to Pippa, who grinned at waiting photographers who had been given permission by royal protection officers to stand with a view of the church.

The decision by the royal couple to spend Christmas with the Middletons rather than join the Queen at Sandringham was taken before it was announced that the duchess was pregnant.

It represented a break with tradition, but William and Kate are planning a visit to the Queen’s estate in Norfolk over the festive period. They spent Christmas last year there with other members of the Royal Family.