Christmas latest: Celebrations under way - as Royal Family gathers in Sandringham without Andrew

In an unusually direct appeal, Pope Leo decried the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza during his Christmas sermon today.

The first US pope highlighted the story of Jesus's birth - the reason Christmas is celebrated by Christians - which he said showed God "pitched his fragile tent" among the people of the world.

"How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?"

This is his first Christmas since succeeding the late Pope Francis, and he usually strikes a more quiet and diplomatic style.

But the new pope has lamented conditions in Gaza several times recently, telling journalists last month the only solution is to include a Palestinian state.

Later today, the pope will deliver a biannual "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message and blessing, which usually addresses global conflicts.

If you want to watch the pontiff's first Christmas mass at the Vatican, we've got you covered with this live stream...

We will let you know when the Royal Family arrives - and you can watch along in the live stream at the top of this page - but we can see movement at the King's private estate in Norfolk.

The gates have opened, with the keenest royal fans flooding in to queue for their vantage point.

You can watch live scenes from Sandringham in the video below...

There's a magnifying glass over the Royal Family today, with the public's attention spread across several issues at the palace.

After their church appearances this morning, the King will deliver his speech to the nation at 3pm, and it's typically a challenge to find the right words and tone at the end of a difficult year.

He'll have free rein, says our royal commentator Alastair Bruce, and there are some indications around what he'll address.

Before then, we'll see the family at Sandringham without Andrew, who casts a shadow over the royals.

On a happier note, Kate appeared last night with her daughter to play the piano (see our 7.28 post).

There are few royal experts better at outlining these issues and what we can expect from the Royal Family in public and behind the scenes than Alastair Bruce.

So we'll leave it to him to break it all down for you...

The sun's out across much of the UK, even if it feels particularly chilly today.

And that chill has had an effect down in Jersey, where snowflakes have been seen falling on the island just off the French coast.

That makes it - according to the local weather service - its third official white Christmas.

We don't know how many snowflakes have fallen, but we'll take it.

Andrew has been gradually frozen out of the Royal Family, so it doesn't come as any surprise he's not at Sandringham with the rest today.

He won't be a part of any Christmas festivities with them, and his future remains uncertain.

Here's a quick reminder of why that is - and what could happen next for the former prince.

The annual Serpentine Swimming Club's Christmas Day race is about to get under way in London's Hyde Park. 

The 100-yard race has been held every year since 1864 - meaning today is the 161st anniversary. 

You can watch live for yourself in the video below.

By Mollie Malone, news correspondent at Sandringham

Loyal royal fans started queuing early here at Sandringham, the King's private estate in Norfolk.

At the front of the queue was John, from south London. He started at 9pm last night, and it's his third time here.

He told us he's on first name terms with William, and should he meet him again today - to deliver flowers for Katherine - it will be his seventh such meeting.

"What a way to celebrate Christmas with all the Royal Family," he told Paste BN.

Others have come from much further afield.

Elizabeth, all the way from Texas, likes the "history" of the Royal Family.

"A little bit of the glamour, the steadfastness, and service to the world," she said.

She described things for the family as being "tough" in dealing with the shadow of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who won't be attending the church service for a second year running.

It's "full of hills and valleys".

"You pick yourself up. Keep going and find the courage," she said.

Noela, here from Canada with her daughter Jackie, for her Christmas present, believes more could have been done in their approach to dealing with Andrew.

It's "good" they've stripped Andrew of titles, she told Paste BN, but says they "should have done it sooner".

Andrew continues to "vigorously deny" all accusations against him related to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

As is the case every year, the Royal Family is set to make an appearance at Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene Church for the Christmas morning service.

Royal fans have been queuing up there to catch a glimpse of the King, Queen and other members of the family as they make their way to church.

We're expecting to see them shortly.

In the meantime, here are just a couple of pictures of the tailgaters, some of whom have camped overnight for the best view...

Speaking of Donald Trump (see the post below this one for his on-brand festive message to children), it's his first Christmas since returning to the White House.

And that makes for an interesting backdrop to this year's decoration...

As is custom, Trump and the first lady also presided over a lighting ceremony for the White House's 32ft red spruce from Virginia...

The audience was dressed for the occasion...

We'll hear from our head of state this afternoon (that's the King, to be clear).

But, typically, we have already heard from the head of state across the Atlantic, where Donald Trump took calls from children.

There are two main things to take from his chats:

• he promised not to let a "bad Santa" into the US;
• he praised coal as "clean" and "beautiful".

Taking part in a long-standing Christmas tradition, he and the first lady took calls from kids who had dialled into the North American Aerospace Defence Command, which tracks Santa's sleigh around the globe every Christmas Eve.

When asked by two children, aged four and 10 from Oklahoma, why Santa is being tracked, Trump replied: 

"We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we are not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa."

As the Trumps took about a dozen calls between them, the president frequently praised the state of the country, saying it is "in great shape" and the "numbers are great".

And to an eight-year-old girl in Kansas, who did not want coal as a gift, Trump said: 

"You mean clean, beautiful coal. I had to do that, I'm sorry."