Meghan and Kate steal the show at Christmas service at Sandringham

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex appeared the best of friends when they led the royal family to church on Christmas Day with their husbands.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge (L) talks to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as they arrive for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Picture: Paul Ellis/Getty Images

Meghan and Kate were all smiles as they walked side by side, just as they had done last Christmas, with Harry and William, past hundreds of royal fans.

The former Suits actress also hugged a well-wisher she spotted in the crowds outside the Norfolk church – Jessica Daniels, who was a long-time Instagram and Twitter follower of the duchess.

And Kate confessed to a royal fan that Prince George and Princess Charlotte had been up “very early” opening their presents.

The royal women have been the subject of a series of media reports claiming there is a rift between them.

There have been allegations of a dispute over who reprimands staff, tensions during Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting and claims that Harry and Meghan’s move from London to Frogmore Cottage in Berkshire reflects a widening gulf between the women.

But, as they walked with the rest of the family the short distance from the Queen’s Sandringham home to St Mary Magdalene Church, they laughed together and seemed engrossed in conversation.

Hundreds of well-wishers had braved the cold conditions to see the “fab four” as Harry, Meghan, William and Kate have been dubbed by the media.

Missing was the Duke of Edinburgh, understood to be in good health and spending the day relaxing with his family, and the Duchess of Cornwall, who is still suffering from a heavy cold.

But royal fans also saw Peter Phillips arrive holding the hands of his daughters Savannah and Isla, and Princess Beatrice walking with Peter’s wife Autumn Phillips.

Other members of the royal family who attended the church service included the Prince of Wales, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and Viscount Severn, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and Zara and Mike Tindall.

The Queen arrived in her state limousine with the Duke of York.

During the service the congregation sang traditional carols O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful.

Afterwards the young royals went on a brief walkabout and when Meghan saw 17-year-old Jessica holding up a small sign with her Instagram username on it, Jessica Scarlett, she instantly recognised it and gave her social media friend a hug. The teenager, from Peterborough, said about the duchess,“This is the first time I’ve met her, she just said ‘it’s so lovely to meet you, incredible to finally see you’.”

Meghan and Kate were given armfuls of bouquets by well-wishers as they went on a brief walkabout after the service with their husbands.