Kate and William make first appearance for the New Year

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have greeted royal fans waiting in the cold, hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple as they headed to church.

Prince William and Kate were attending an early morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church, the first Sunday mass of the year.

They were joined by the Queen and their friends, many of whom are godparents to the Cambridge children, including Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Laura and James Meade, and Thomas van Straubenzee.

The Duchess accepted a bouquet of flowers from Mia Croft, 10, and her brother Oakley, seven, saying, "Are these for the Queen? I will take them back for you. She will love these - lots of bright colours".

Kate wore her bespoke Catherine Walker coat that she first wore during her and William's royal tour of Norway, last January. She was pregnant with Prince Louis at the time and the coat has since been altered to fit post-pregnancy body. The Duchess also wore a new headband by Jane Taylor, the fifth time she has worn the halo-style headpiece in the past year.

The royal couple has been staying at their country home, Anmer Hall, since Christmas. It's a short distance from the church and close to the Queen's Sandringham estate. William and Kate were last seen in public on Christmas Day when they attended church with the Queen, Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to return to London next week for the start of the new school term. Kate will also celebrate her 37^th birthday on January 9.