Christmas latest: White Christmas confirmed in one area - as Andrew's daughters join Royal Family in Sandringham without father

While royals greet crowds at Sandringham - some of whom have been waiting since well before sunrise - many fans have been hoping to chat with Kate in particular.

And the Princess of Wales, who has been getting treatment for cancer, seems keen not to disappoint.

She's been on the receiving end of several well-wishes and flowers as she gets up close with the public.

Another year, another traditional royal visit to Sandringham complete.

The Royal Family is now making their way back from St Mary Magdalene Church.

This is the point where we usually see them mingle with crowds that have gathered to catch a glimpse of the family at the King's private estate.

Our news correspondent Mollie Malone has been there all morning, with fans - some from as far as Texas and Canada - telling her why they made the trip today (see 8.59).

One person they won't see there is Andrew, who remains at a distance from the family since his royal titles were stripped.

But his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, have joined the royals today.

Watch along in the live stream at the top of the page.

By Amelia Harper, home news correspondent in south London

Meanwhile, marking another Christmas tradition in south London this morning were dozens of swimmers.

They're certainly braver than I am - it's a very chilly morning here at Brockwell Lido.

The pool isn't heated, and the water temperature is a cold 7.4C.

800 swimmers had booked a slot to take a Christmas dip, and they were all having a great time.

I've seen several Santas… though they must be tired from delivering presents all night.

The pool was open from 9am until 10.30am, and some visitors were just here for a leisurely swim, while others were taking their laps more seriously.

I hear a lot of positive affirmations before they enter the water, as well as some "oohs" and "aahs", and most of the swimmers are going in for a few laps at most.

National conversations about immigration "continue to divide us" at a time when "our common humanity should unite us".

That's according to the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, who's made her view clear in her Christmas Day sermon.

Acting in her current role as the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally - who will be legally made Archbishop of Canterbury in January - told St Paul's Cathedral: "Joy is born exactly where despair expects to triumph.

"As joy breaks through in our lives, it gives us the opportunity to become people who make room.

"Room in our homes. Room in our churches. Room in our public conversations and in the attitudes we hold.

"The joy asks us to allow our lives to be interrupted by the needs of others, just as the people of Bethlehem were interrupted."

Dame Sarah, 63, added: "This insight matters because our own society carries uncertainties that can wear us down.

"Many feel the weight of economic pressure. Some feel pushed to the margins.

"Our national conversations about immigration continue to divide us, when our common humanity should unite us."

Spotted at the centre of the royal entourage arriving at Sandringham just moments ago were Andrew's daughters.

Beatrice and Eugenie are there this morning, without their father, who has been stripped of his royal titles.

Our news correspondent Mollie Malone is there, and says it is "significant" we've seen both of them. 

"It's certainly something that royal watchers were looking out for," she adds.

"The Royal Family have been clear that despite what's been going on with their father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, that they were very supportive of the girls, and they were both invited to yesterday's carol service."

The Royal Family has arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church, where crowds have been waiting outside all morning - with some queueing far longer.

Our news correspondent Mollie Malone is there, and she's been speaking to some who've come from the other side of the world (see 8.59 for more on that).

Watch the latest royal whereabouts in the live stream at the top of this page.

"We brought this to give to one of the kids," says one mother and daughter, who hope to gift a toy for the Royal Family's new generation.

"You can get closer to them," says another, telling us he has spoken to the King in previous visits and hopes to catch Kate this time around.

You can't get that close at other events, he adds.

Our news correspondent Mollie Malone is at Sandringham, where's royal fans have been telling her their reasons for visiting today...

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...