Sarah, Duchess of York couldn’t contain her happiness as she arrived at church with the Royal Family on Christmas Day.

The arrival of Sarah surprised many but the duchess was in great spirits as she made the short walk from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene.

At one point, she was so happy she threw her arms around her former sister-in-law, the Princess Royal, for an impromptu cuddle. Princess Anne, not noted for her hugging tendencies, didn’t reciprocate.

Soon after her surprise appearance, Sarah took to social media to say ‘‘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!”

The message was accompanied by a past photo of her with her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, in which all are beaming with joy.

Sarah, Duchess of York will be celebrating Christmas alongside her girls who also walked to church on Christmas morning. Their children stayed behind at Sandringham House but Sarah will also be looking forward to spending the day with them. Eugenie is mum to August, 2, and Ernest who was born earlier this year. Beatrice has a two year old daughter, Sienna, as well as a stepson, Christopher.

Her Christmas joy comes at the end of difficult year for Sarah who earlier in 2023 was treated for breast cancer.