Prince Louis performed an adorable gesture that showed he was excited to launch into his royal Christmas, according to an expert.

For the second year running, Louis joined the rest of the royals for the service on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene’s Church and he rocked tartan trousers and a navy coat as he clutched the hands of his dad Prince William and the oldest daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall. Shortly before 11am, the royals began making their way to church and also spotted was Princess Charlotte, who held hands with mum the Princess of Wales, with Prince George walking alongside looking smart in a suit.

Prince Louis on his way to church this morning ( Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Prince Louis in his tartan trousers at Sandringham today ( Image: PA)

And according to body language expert Judi James, the young prince looked delighted to be going to church. She told the Mirror: “Louis, like most small children on Christmas morning, looked excited but also impatient. Zara’s daughter had been given the job of anchoring his left hand while William held onto his right and even then he looked so excited he was pulling on his dad’s arm to get into the service.

“William placed a cupped hand on the back of Louis’s head in a gesture of affection but also of calming a child down. But even as he waited to do the greeting rituals with the clergy, Louis crossed one lower leg over the other as though keen to get launched into his Christmas Day.”

William and Kate on the walk to church with George, Charlotte and Louis, who holds hands with Mia Tindall ( Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Among the other royals spotted at Sandringham were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank and Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence. Also making a surprise appearance at church was Sarah Ferguson alongside disgraced ex-husband Prince Andrew.

King Charles led the way alongside Queen Camilla in a camel cashmere coat by Anna Valentine and the late Queen’s raspberry pip brooch, with William, Kate and their children following behind. Kate looked elegant in a royal blue Alexander McQueen coat, boots and a Juliette Botterill hat.

The King and Queen Camilla on their way to church this morning ( Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

After the service, the royals then made their way back to Sandringham House but not before stopping to greet members of the public, who had gathered to see them walk to church. Kate, Camilla and Fergie could all be seen accepting flowers while George, Charlotte and Louis all clutched gifts given to them by wellwishers.

Even Andrew could be seen laughing and throwing up his hands as he joked with well-wishes and the Duchess collected flowers and spoke to many of those waiting. After the morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church and the greeting of well-wishers, the Royal Family are expected to tuck into a lunch of turkey and all the trimmings.

Afterwards, traditionally members of the royal family sit down to watch the monarch’s televised address when it airs after lunch at 3pm on December 25. Charles’ second Christmas message as monarch was recorded in the Centre Room in Buckingham Palace which leads on to the royal residence’s iconic balcony.

The room is decorated with a living Christmas tree which will be replanted after the broadcast. From its branches hang natural and sustainable decorations including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, glass baubles, pine cones and paper. Charles, like Queen Elizabeth II, writes his Christmas broadcasts and last year he followed his mother’s well-established template, a personal reflection on the year, touching on current issues and with a Christian framework.