Busy day: The Duke of Cambridge, fresh from a trip to Centrepoint, arrived with a fresh-faced Duchess of Cambridge
They boast
some of the most famous faces in the country among their number but not
every member of the Royal Family is so easily identified, as police
outside Buckingham Palace discovered today.
Officers
had to resort to a crib sheet to pick out the likes of Princess
Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent but had no such difficulty with the
senior royals on the guest list, among them the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, Prince George and Prince Harry.
Prince
William, who was fresh from an early morning visit to homeless charity
Centrepoint in London's Soho, arrived with his glossy-haired wife, who
looked lovely in her festive cherry-red dress and dramatic chandelier
earrings.
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Adorable: Prince George was driven into the event seated in the back of his parents' car and clutching a bright yellow book
All together: 16-month-old Prince George joined his parents in the car along with his nanny, Maria Theresa Borallo
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Looking good: Despite her husband insisting that it is a nightmare, the Duchess' hair looked glossy and gorgeous
Accessories: The Duchess teamed her
cherry-red dress with a pair of striking chandelier earrings. Maria
Theresa Borrallo is seated behind
Bold choice: Kate has
made increasingly bold fashion choices in recent months, most notably
the hot pink Mulberry coat worn in New York
Equally
cheerful was Canadian Autumn Kelly, the blonde wife of Princess Anne's
son Peter Phillips, who offered waiting members of the public a wave as
she flashed past.
Princess
Anne and the Earl of Wessex were also at the luncheon, as was Anne's
husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence who, unusually, arrived for
the event on foot.
Others
invited to join the party included Prince and Princess Michael of Kent,
their daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor, Prince Richard, Duke of
Gloucester and a fresh-faced Princess Beatrice who smiled happily as she
was driven in.
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Who's who? The police guarding the Buckingham Palace gates needed a crib sheet to identify more obscure members of the family
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Family affair: Senior royals to attend the event included Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge
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Cheerful: Prince Harry was all smiles as he was driven through the Buckingham Palace gates for the lunch
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Tight security: Prince Harry was seated beside a formidable-looking protection officer for the ride to Buckingham Palace
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Good form: Peter Phillips arrived with his Canadian wife, Autumn Kelly, who looked delighted to be at the lunch
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Royal wave: The fresh-faced royal even waved at members of the public as she was sped through the gates
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Busy: The Prince of Wales took time out from his breakneck festive schedule to attend the family lunch
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Hard at work: Prince Charles spent yesterday touring Essex before returning to open an exhibition at the Science Museum
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Pretty: A glamorous Princess Beatrice, who sported chic plum coloured nails, was driven through the gate by a security guard
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Cheerful: The princess, who boasted
hair glossy enough to rival Kate's, was another member of the family who
seemed to be in good spirits
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Hard-working: The Princess Royal is recently returned from trips to Canada, Ethiopia and Tanzania among others
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Ready to eat: Prince Edward drove himself to the event and arrived with his close protection officer seated beside him
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Cheerful: Prince Edward smiled as he drove through the gates for the Queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch
IS THAT CURIOUS GEORGE, GEORGE? IS LITTLE PRINCE CLUTCHING A COPY OF 1940'S CHILDREN'S CLASSIC?
Just
as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge like to dress their son in
contemporary versions of traditional classics, so too with his reading
material.
As
the 16-month-old prince was driven into Buckingham Palace, what looked
like a copy of one of the Curious George books could be seen clutched in
his fingers.
Written
by Hans Augusto and Margret Rey, the first book in the series, Cecily
G. and the Nine Monkeys, made its debut in France in 1939, although the
central character was called Fifi instead.
When
the book made its UK debut in 1941, the monkey, by then called George
elsewhere, was rechristened Zozo to spare King George VI the
embarrassment of sharing his name with an ape.
By
the time the second book in the series, Curious George Takes A Job, was
published in 1947, the monkey had his name back and Curious George has
remained Curious George ever since.
Although
the Reys wrote only the first seven books, such is their popularity,
new books written and illustrated 'in the style' of the Reys have been
appearing since 1998.
Authors
and illustrators of the second series include Mary O'Keefe Young,
Martha Weston, Anna Grossnickle Hines, Michael Jensen, and Vipah
Interactive.
The
Queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch is a royal tradition and allows her
to catch up with more distant relations, who are not invited to join her
at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on the 25th.
All
of the senior royals, among them Prince Charles and Camilla, William
and Kate, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex are expected at the
country estate on Christmas Day and appear alongside the monarch at the
traditional Christmas morning church service.
One
member of the Royal Family who appeared to be particularly looking
forward to his lunch was Prince George, who was driven into the Palace
beside his nanny, Maria Theresa Borrallo in the back of his parents'
car.
George,
who was adorably smiley as he peered out of the window, is due to
celebrate his second Christmas at Sandringham next week - and his last
as an only child.
The
16-month-old royal and his parents are also due to relocate to Anmer
Hall on the Sandringham Estate where an extended nursery big enough for
two babies has been prepared.
George's
new sibling is due in April and will live with his or her parents and
older brother at the Norfolk property. The little prince will also have
to share his nanny, who is expected to help care for the new arrival.
Carole
and Michael Middleton, who have spent a considerable amount of time
with Prince George over the last year, are also expected to take a hand
in raising the new arrival and will join the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge at Anmer Hall on Boxing Day.
Low key: Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne, was the only royal to arrive at the Palace on foot
Royal arrival: Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is driven into Buckingham Palace for lunch
Nice day out: Princess Alexandra of Kent arrives for lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace today
Obscure: Julia Oglivy, who is the wife of James Oglivy, the son of Sir Angus Ogilvy and Princess Alexandra, was at the lunch
Adorable: Lord Nicholas Windsor brought his adorable sons Albert and Leopold to meet their more famous relations
On their way: Timothy Taylor, Lady Helen Taylor and their daughter Estella arrive for the lunch party
Big arrival: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent drove in with their festively-dressed daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor
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Stylish: 33-year-old Lady Gabriella teamed her scarlet dress with a pair of matching red coral earrings
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Solemn: The Duke of Kent, who is the Queen's first cousin, looked solemn as he was driven into the Palace
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Visiting: The festive lunch party was completed by Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel
GOT SOMEWHERE TO GO, BEATRICE? PRINCESS SPOTTED LEAVING HAIR SALON HOURS BEFORE ROYAL LUNCH
She
is almost as famous for her shiny locks as her cousin by marriage, the
Duchess of Cambridge, but Princess Beatrice was taking no chances when
it came to having lunch with the Queen.
The
26-year-old royal was spotted emerging from a South Kensington hair
salon, hours before being driven to Buckingham Palace for the royal
family's annual pre-Christmas lunch.
Beatrice,
who is currently completing an internship, was caught up in the recent
Sony scandal after details of her salary were among those leaked by
hackers, believed to be linked to North Korea.
Despite
having endured a torrid few days as a result, the Princess was all
smiles as she left the salon and appeared to be on cheerful form as she
was driven into Buckingham Palace.
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Taking no chances: Princess Beatrice was spotted leaving a South Kensington hair salon early this morning
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Looking good: The 26-year-old cut a glamorous figure as she strolled down the London street after her hair appointment