King and Queen attend New Year's Eve church service in Sandringham - as police search onlookers
The King and Queen attended a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on New Year's Eve. Members of the public who had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals were searched by police.
Sunday 31 December 2023 19:52, UK
The King and Queen have attended a church service in Sandringham on New Year's Eve.
A crowd of onlookers had gathered as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday morning.
Members of the public who hoped to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors were photographed being searched by police.
The late Queen Elizabeth regularly attended church while staying at Sandringham in Norfolk.
Last week, the Royal Family celebrated Christmas Day by attending church on the King's Sandringham estate - a long-standing royal tradition.
Prince Andrew walked with his family from Sandringham to church for the second consecutive year.
His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, made an appearance for the first time in years.
Other attendees on Christmas Day included the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
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The King's Christmas message this year focused on the climate and referred to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the .
He said he prayed people would do "all in [their] power to protect each other" at a time of "increasingly tragic conflict around the world".
During his address, he also hailed key workers as the "essential backbone of our society", and said he was "delighted" that many of them were present at his coronation in May.