Prince George, Princess Charlotte join Prince William, Duchess Kate at Christmas service

The royals are celebrating Christmas at Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate.

Absent from the royals' walk to church this year were Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Harry and Meghan and their son Archie are spending Christmas with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, marking the first time Harry and Meghan have not spent the holiday with the royal family since their engagement two years ago.

Harry and Meghan were photographed last year walking side-by-side with William and Kate into St. Mary Magdalene Church.

In the evening, the royal family will get together again for a Christmas buffet dinner with 15 to 20 different delicacies prepared by the queen's chef. A toast is part of the meal, which ranges from roast beef to turkey and ham.

The royal family holds their gift exchange on Christmas Eve, following the German tradition. They often swap funny or homemade gifts.

Kate, who wed Prince William in 2011, reportedly made homemade jam one year as gifts for her royal relatives.

On the day after Christmas, known as Boxing Day in the U.K., the royals are expected to partake in a traditional pheasant shoot on the grounds of Sandringham.

William and Kate and their kids are staying at Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk located near the queen's Sandringham estate.