I have always wanted to visit Sandringham on Christmas Day with my camera. It's been on my to do list forever. When my children were little we planned it for one Christmas. They were still primary school age, it took a lot of convincing but we had planned it all. The car was packed with hot drinks and bacon butties, we had got our heads around a late lunch and opening presents later. Then my Mum uttered the words "Just let them open one present". That was it. Game over. This led to every single present being opened, us being late and my son (quite rightly) refusing to get out of the car because he wanted to be at home. We ate our bacon sandwiches in the car park, drank our coffee and came home again without even stepping foot out of the car. Now, this was the year that Kate, William, Harry and Meghan were all at Sandringham. It was also the year that I missed the opportunity to capture them all. Have I held it against my Son ever since. No.
Well not much!
Cut to this year. 2025. Everyone wanted a lay in (including my Mum) My daughter offered (kind of) to cook and I fancied going out with my camera. So I dropped Kim (Wisbech Tweet) a message as she is the lady who knows everything. In the hope of finding out the best times and where to go, Kim very kindly offered me a lift and the opportunity to join her and her daughter Shelley for the morning. So at 8am Christmas morning with my camera bag packed, I was picked up and taken to Sandringham. I found myself queueing with many people from Norfolk and beyond. I have to say the sun shining helped. The press were gathering, people joined the line with greetings of "Merry Christmas" and the banter with security and police provided much amusement. Until I held up the line with a search of my camera bag, pockets I couldn't get into and having to repack everything under the watchful eye of a very tall policeman and his eager, seemingly pleasant but not to be fooled police dog. Whilst waiting I was quite excited to see Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards shoot past. The guy has been shooting royalty since forever. I love his relationship with the royals and the stories he has that comes with his photography.
Once we had got through the gates and made it to the corner of the beautiful St Mary Magdalene Church, we waited patiently chatting. Now I love people. And I love people's stories. For me that goes hand in hand with photography. So for me this was what made it. Chatting to people and hearing why they were there was what made it for me. No judgement, just new people who had never met before chatting away and enjoying the sun. There were hardcore royalists, nosey folk (like me) who had never been before, press who were either frowned upon or greeted warmly, (depending on how they were viewed), security and police, their family and friends and then members of Tapping House Hospice. For me, having Tapping House there and raising money for the Hospice was a wonderful idea. Having recently losing my Dad who had carers from Tapping House that cared for him so wonderfully during his last few weeks, they are a wonderful group of people who have supported so many. Whatever your take on the Royals is, it provided them with a great opportunity to raise funds and more importantly awareness of the great work they do.
On a personal note, for me, it was seeing the police out in force. My Dad was a policeman back in the day in the Essex force and my memories of him and his colleagues getting ready for events with Royals are stuck firmly in my mind. Nostalgia kicked in and I giggled lots when security shared the stories they could of looking after the Royals.
Quite quickly, ladies appeared with boxes of song books to hand out for those that wanted to join in the singing of carols that were being played over the loud speaker during the service. Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Rys Williams, the Rector of Sandringham appeared, the sign that the Royals were on their way. Within minutes a buzz started from the opposite end of the line and the furious clicks from the press filled the air! Some were enjoying the moment, others were brutal and I found it unsettling in which their manner changed to not just the Royals, but to others around them.
Now, from a photography point of view, this was my first time shooting this situation. My goal was not to get the best shot but to enjoy the moment and just capture what I could. They whizzed past very quickly with a few waves and calling "Morning" but were very soon were in the church with the service being played. I loved that this was the moment security and police relaxed and popped off for a cup of tea. There was an opportunity for us to leave and get a drink but we stayed taking in the moment, chatting to William & Harry's former bodyguard and I watched with fascination how the Kings own Bodyguard conducted himself. He was polite, friendly but his presence for me domineered far more than what the King's did! I wanted to know all their stories, how they got to where they are now, the ins and outs of how their Christmas pans out and how their families feel about the job they do!
Once the police and security started to rejoin us and the press began lifting their cameras, that was again our cue to get ready. As I looked over I smiled to myself as Arthur was casually waiting like the seasoned pro he is whilst the rest of the press went into "scramble" mode. It was at this moment my brain did the "swap lens, no don't you haven't got time, do it quickly this lens is pants" conversation in my head. I very quickly swapped and began clicking but with full sun right in my eyes. After capturing a few shots, I took a moment to watch and I noticed that the King was chatting to the Tapping House Team and I swear he was wearing a friendship bracelet on his wrist.
I have to say the whole affair seemed very relaxed. I think I expected an air of high alert with lots of limitations on what you could shoot but there was none. Whilst clearly doing their job, security kept a respectful but watchful eye over everyone and the Royals chatted happily. William, Kate and the children came over to wish us all a Merry Christmas and Shelley was able to give Kate her flowers which she does every year. Kate took the time to speak to as many people as she could and I saw that she had long been left by the other Royals whilst she was still making her way down the line. I watched as she greeted people and whilst she is highly experienced in PR, she did have a warmth and approachability about her. People relaxed around her and those that were leaving had such genuine happy smiles on their faces after meeting her, you couldn't help but warm to her.
Once we were cleared to leave, we made out way back to the car park for a welcomed hot drink and made our way home.
I can honestly say, I really enjoyed it. I am not a die hard Royal fan, but did I enjoy picking up my camera on Christmas day and capturing some of the most photographed people on the planet? You bet I did. Especially as I got home to a fully cooked Christmas dinner all ready for us all to enjoy as a family together.
It may have been one of the best Christmases I have ever had. I just wish I could share it all with Dad! Enjoy these photos, I certainly enjoyed scrolling through and editing them. And I love that even the King is not safe from homemade friendship bracelets from the Grandchildren!
