Security tight as Royals attend church service

The Queen and members of the Royal Family today attended a church service amid tight security.

Police confiscated cameras from members of the public heading to watch royals make their way to and from the St Mary Magdalene church on the Queen's estate at Sandringham, Norfolk.

Visitors were also body searched with a scanner and officers kept a close eye on crowds lining a path.

Sandringham Estate signs warn visitors that picture-taking is not allowed. The rule is relaxed when the royals go to church on Christmas Day, but royal-watchers said it was the first time police had confiscated cameras before allowing people on to the church surrounds.

Earlier this year, the Queen's lawyers warned newspapers against publishing paparazzi photos of members of the Royal Family and reminded editors of privacy obligations made under a press code of practice.

Members of the Royal Family gathered earlier last week for their annual Christmas celebration at Sandringham.

Among those who joined the Queen at the service - led by the Right Rev Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich - were the Prince of Wales; Princes William and Harry; the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence; the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Peter Phillips, and his wife Autumn.