Kate and William showed 'subtle endorsement' for Princess Beatrice's new place in royal hierarchy

The procession to St Mary Magdalene Church saw King Charles and Queen Camilla leading the way, followed by William and Kate's family, with Princess Beatrice and her husband next in line.

The carefully orchestrated positioning highlighted Beatrice's continued importance within the Royal Family, despite recent controversies surrounding her father.

Prince Andrew, 64, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 65, spent Christmas Day at Royal Lodge instead of joining the royal gathering at Sandringham.

The Duke of York's absence came as he found himself embroiled in fresh controversy surrounding his friendship with an alleged Chinese spy.

Sarah reportedly convinced her former husband to skip the Sandringham celebrations, despite her own successful return to the royal fold in 2023.

The decision marked another notable absence from the royal Christmas celebrations, alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who remained in the US with their children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

The absences highlighted the ongoing divisions within the Royal Family during what is traditionally a day of togetherness.

Royal author Robert Hardman, writing in the Daily Mail, noted the significance of Beatrice's position in the church procession.

"Once again, the Dukes of York and Sussex were nowhere to be seen, though Prince Andrew will have been delighted to see the prominence given to his elder daughter, Princess Beatrice, yesterday at Sandringham," Hardman wrote.

He highlighted the subtle messaging in the procession order, noting: "She and her husband were next in line to the Waleses on the way out of church, a subtle reminder that she remains in the top 10 in the royal line of succession."

The carefully planned arrangements of royal events suggest Beatrice's prominent position may have been deliberately orchestrated, potentially leaving the door open for her father whilst reinforcing her own status within the family.

Princess Beatrice, heavily pregnant with her second child, chose to remain in the UK for Christmas rather than travel to Italy with her husband's family.

The couple altered their original plans to spend the festive season abroad with their daughter Sienna, three, and Edoardo's eight-year-old son Christopher Woolf, known as "Wolfie".

Her sister Princess Eugenie, 34, did proceed with plans to spend Christmas with her in-laws, while Beatrice maintained her presence at the royal gathering.

King Charles is said to have a fondness for both Beatrice and Eugenie, with Beatrice's ninth position in the line of succession reflected in her prominent role during the Christmas Day celebrations.

The positioning during such a significant royal event demonstrated the careful consideration given to matters of succession and family hierarchy.