By Colette Hume BBC News

The Queen met with well-wishers at Sandringham

Royal watchers began queuing at the gates of the church at 0730 GMT this morning. Many are veterans of Christmas Day services, some brought flowers and cards for the Queen.

Protocol dictates, the Queen is always the last to arrive for any royal occasion so at 1045 GMT a procession of senior royals made their way from Sandringham House to the church, a quarter of a mile away.

They included the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, whose wife Sophie gave the birth to the Queen's eighth grandchild James last week and did not attend the church on Christmas morning.

Bad weather

A few minutes after the Royal Family made their way into the church, it was clear the Queen was on her way.

Columns of police officers snapped to attention and halted traffic as the royal car made its way slowly, containing the Queen and her granddaughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice of York.

Only the hardiest of royal watchers continued to brave the rain as the service began, many following the service as it was relayed by loudspeaker.

The majority made their way to Sandringham Visitor Centre and the cafe, which was open for much needed cups of tea.

Shortly after 1140 though they were once again going through the security checkpoints to resume their position because the royal family were about to leave.

Queen's message

The Christmas Day service is one of the few chances to see so many senior members of the royal family together.

Asked by reporters if his wife and new baby son were well, Prince Edward replied: "Absolutely".

The Queen accepted flowers from a long line of children assisted by Viscount Linley's son and daughter, Charles and Margarita. Then it was back to the house for lunch.