- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were among the royals to arrive at Buckingham Palace
- Prince Charles, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly were also driven through the gates
- The police were forced to resort to a crib sheet to identify more obscure royals such as Lady Gabriella Windsor
- Duke of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent also arrived for the annual pre-Christmas lunch
- Other royals to attend included Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence
- Prince George was driven in with his parents, seated alongside nanny Maria Theresa Borrallo
They boast some of the most famous faces in the country among their number but not every member of the Royal Family is so easily identified, as police outside Buckingham Palace discovered today.
Officers had to resort to a crib sheet to pick out the likes of Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent but had no such difficulty with the senior royals on the guest list, among them the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Prince Harry.
Prince William, who was fresh from an early morning visit to homeless charity Centrepoint in London's Soho, arrived with his glossy-haired wife, who looked lovely in her festive cherry-red dress and dramatic chandelier earrings.
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Busy day: The Duke of Cambridge, fresh from a trip to Centrepoint, arrived with a fresh-faced Duchess of Cambridge
All together: 16-month-old Prince George joined his parents in the car along with his nanny, Maria Theresa Borallo
Looking good: Despite her husband insisting that it is a nightmare, the Duchess' hair looked glossy and gorgeous
Accessories: The Duchess teamed her cherry-red dress with a pair of striking chandelier earrings. Maria Theresa Borrallo is seated behind
Bold choice: Kate has made increasingly bold fashion choices in recent months, most notably the hot pink Mulberry coat worn in New York
Adorable: Prince George was driven into the event seated in the back of his parents' car and clutching a bright yellow book
His brother Harry arrived seated beside his formidable looking close protection officer but, ever charming, was all smiles as he was driven past waiting photographers.reNe
Princess Anne and the Earl of Wessex were also at the luncheon, as was Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence who, unusually, arrived for the event on foot.
Others invited to join the party included Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, their daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and a fresh-faced Princess Beatrice who smiled happily as she was driven in.
Who's who? The police guarding the Buckingham Palace gates needed a crib sheet to identify more obscure members of the family
Family affair: Senior royals to attend the event included Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge
Cheerful: Prince Harry was all smiles as he was driven through the Buckingham Palace gates for the lunch
Tight security: Prince Harry was seated beside a formidable-looking protection officer for the ride to Buckingham Palace
Good form: Peter Phillips arrived with his Canadian wife, Autumn Kelly, who looked delighted to be at the lunch
Royal wave: The fresh-faced royal even waved at members of the public as she was sped through the gates
Busy: The Prince of Wales took time out from his breakneck festive schedule to attend the family lunch
Hard at work: Prince Charles spent yesterday touring Essex before returning to open an exhibition at the Science Museum
Pretty: A glamorous Princess Beatrice, who sported chic plum coloured nails, was driven through the gate by a security guard
Cheerful: The princess, who boasted hair glossy enough to rival Kate's, was another member of the family who seemed to be in good spirits
Hard-working: The Princess Royal is recently returned from trips to Canada, Ethiopia and Tanzania among others
Ready to eat: Prince Edward drove himself to the event and arrived with his close protection officer seated beside him
Cheerful: Prince Edward smiled as he drove through the gates for the Queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch
The Queen's annual pre-Christmas lunch is a royal tradition and allows her to catch up with more distant relations, who are not invited to join her at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on the 25th.
All of the senior royals, among them Prince Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex are expected at the country estate on Christmas Day and appear alongside the monarch at the traditional Christmas morning church service.
One member of the Royal Family who appeared to be particularly looking forward to his lunch was Prince George, who was driven into the Palace beside his nanny, Maria Theresa Borrallo in the back of his parents' car.
George, who was adorably smiley as he peered out of the window, is due to celebrate his second Christmas at Sandringham next week - and his last as an only child.
The 16-month-old royal and his parents are also due to relocate to Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate where an extended nursery big enough for two babies has been prepared.
George's new sibling is due in April and will live with his or her parents and older brother at the Norfolk property. The little prince will also have to share his nanny, who is expected to help care for the new arrival.
Carole and Michael Middleton, who have spent a considerable amount of time with Prince George over the last year, are also expected to take a hand in raising the new arrival and will join the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Anmer Hall on Boxing Day.
Low key: Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne, was the only royal to arrive at the Palace on foot
Royal arrival: Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is driven into Buckingham Palace for lunch
Nice day out: Princess Alexandra of Kent arrives for lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace today
Obscure: Julia Oglivy, who is the wife of James Oglivy, the son of Sir Angus Ogilvy and Princess Alexandra, was at the lunch
Adorable: Lord Nicholas Windsor brought his adorable sons Albert and Leopold to meet their more famous relations
On their way: Timothy Taylor, Lady Helen Taylor and their daughter Estella arrive for the lunch party
Big arrival: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent drove in with their festively-dressed daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor
Stylish: 33-year-old Lady Gabriella teamed her scarlet dress with a pair of matching red coral earrings
Solemn: The Duke of Kent, who is the Queen's first cousin, looked solemn as he was driven into the Palace
Visiting: The festive lunch party was completed by Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2877594/A-Christmas-feast-fit-Queen-Royals-including-William-Kate-Harry-descend-Buckingham-Palace-festive-lunch.html#ixzz3MB301vgz
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