For the traditional Sandringham walkabout, Catherine, 43, chose a brown checked coat — a classic country style that closely echoed the earthy tones worn by Princess Eugenie during the same festive outing. While tartan and check patterns have long been a staple of royal winter dressing, the similarity in colour palette did not go unnoticed, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing sensitivities surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The former Duke of York lost his military titles and royal patronages in October, formally ending his public role within the monarchy. The decision, made by King Charles, followed sustained public scrutiny linked to Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — allegations which Andrew has strongly denied. Since then, he has remained absent from official royal events and is believed not to have been invited to the Sandringham Christmas celebrations.
Despite this, Andrew’s daughters have continued to appear at select family gatherings, making their Christmas Day presence especially significant. Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, made a surprise appearance at Sandringham, joining senior royals for the festive church service. They were seen walking alongside other family members, including Princess Beatrice, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, reinforcing a sense of togetherness among the younger generation.
Notably missing from the service were Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, neither of whom attended the Christmas Day walk — continuing their long-standing absence from this highly public royal tradition. Their exclusion only sharpened focus on the participation of their daughters, which is often viewed as carefully considered.
Fashion has long been one of Catherine’s most effective forms of soft diplomacy, allowing her to communicate reassurance and continuity without a word. Her choice of tartan on Christmas Day appeared intentional — rooted in tradition, yet open to interpretation. By subtly aligning her look with Eugenie’s, the Princess of Wales seemed to send a quiet signal of solidarity rather than separation.
