Deeping St Nicholas brothers enjoy a hug from the Princess of Wales and a handshake from King Charles

A handshake from the King and a hug from a princess made it a Christmas Day to remember for two young brothers.

Henry, 10, and George, 7, travelled to Sandringham from their home in Deeping St Nicholas, with parents Carl Steele and Sandie Hutchinson to watch the Royal family go into church for their annual Christmas morning service.

To their delight they met and chatted with several members of the Royal family including Zara and Mike Tindall, The Princess Royal and the Prince of Wales and his young children.

Mum Sandie said Henry was thrilled to receive a handshake from HM The King while George was rewarded with a hug from The Princess of Wales after cheekily asking if he could have one.

“We’d never been to Sandringham on Christmas Day before, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It was lovely, everyone was in such good spirits, and so friendly,” said Sandie.

“We left home at around 7.20am – there wasn’t too much traffic about. When the Royal family came out of church Zara and Mike Tindall over to us first. Zara took some flowers and had a little chat. Princess Anne followed and then the King chatted with us.

“He was so nice, asking where we’d travelled from and then Henry shook his hand, he was so pleased about it. We just though ‘wow’ – we hadn’t realised how close we might be able to get to them.

“William and his children came down our side too, their hands were full of gifts, they couldn’t physically carry anymore!’

Sandie said the Princess of Wales followed some way behind the rest of her family as she was stopping to chat and shake hands with as many people as possible.

“Everybody loves Kate and wanted to talk to her. She was taking her time and shaking hands with everyone. She came straight over to the boys and had a little chat with them. She asked what time they’d had to get up, if Santa had been and what gifts they received.

“George held his hand out to her, and she shook it and then he asked if he could have a hug – she replied that she’d love a hug and gave him such a big, warm embrace. Everyone in the crowd let out a massive ‘aaaaahhh!’

“We were welling up – it was very emotional. Kate is absolutely stunning, and George was mesmerised by her. It really made his Christmas Day – it made it for all of us. It’s something we’ll always remember. It was amazing.”