Mystery over Queen Camilla's missing family on Christmas Day walk to church solved

Queen Camilla's family were expected to join her and King Charles for a Sandringham Christmas, for the first time ever this year.

However, many were left baffled when the 77-year-old's children, Tom and Laura and, her five grandchildren, were not among the royal party who took part in the traditional walk to church this morning. Camilla led the way to church with her husband the King, while following behind were the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

But it seems despite not joining in with the traditional church walk with the royals, they still were at Sandringham for the first time ever - but decided not to join in with the public event. A palace source explained that they did join the royals for the church service at Sandringham but decided not to walk with the royals as they are private individuals.

Camilla always has Christmas with the Royal Family and usually sees Tom and Laura and their children in the days after December 25. But after a tumultuous year of health battles, including the Queen suffering from viral pneumonia, her children and grandchildren have been by her side for the festive season.

Before Camilla wed King Charles, she was previously married to Andrew Parker Bowles and had her two children Laura and Tom. This means that the pair are step siblings of Charles' sons William and Harry. Tom is a well-known food writer and often appears on food and cookery TV shows. Several weeks ago, he revealed his mum's pleas for him to spend Christmas with her.

He told The Telegraph that the invitation to go to Sandringham has always been there, but his mum specifically asked him to be there this year. He explained: "My mum said 'I'd love for you to come, I haven't had Christmas with you for a long time'. "It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it."

Tom explained that he usually spends Christmas relaxing with his ex-wife Sara Buys and their two children Lola and Freddie, meaning a Sandringham Christmas would be very different, although he said he's not quite sure what to expect. He added: "I genuinely know nothing about it. I know there's turkey and sprouts and church. And I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket."

Meanwhile, Camilla's daughter Laura leads a more private life. She was educated at a Catholic girls boarding school in Dorset, and then studied History of Art and Marketing at Oxford Brookes University. Before settling down, Laura worked as Tatler’s motoring correspondent before moving into the art world.

She first managed The Space Gallery in London and then co-founded London's Eleven Gallery in 2005, where she was also a director. Laura married chartered accountant Harry Lopes in Wiltshire in 2006. He went to Eton College and spent some time underwear modelling for Calvin Klein.

Both William and Harry were guests at her wedding and she attended both of their nuptials. In fact, her daughter Eliza was a bridesmaid at William's wedding in 2011 when she was just four. Laura and Harry are also parents to twins Gus and Louis, born in 2009, with Camilla doting on all of her grandchildren. Their appearance came shortly before 11am when the royals began making their way to church led by Charles.

After the morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church and the greeting of well-wishers, the family are expected to tuck into a lunch of turkey and all the trimmings.

Afterwards, members of the Royal Family traditionally sit down to watch the monarch's televised address when it airs after lunch at 3pm on December 25. This year, they will watch King Charles' third Christmas address. An image of Charles, taken during the recording of his festive address from Fitzrovia Chapel in Central London, has already been released ahead of the broadcast being screened later today.