How I got the shot of the 'fab four' they all wanted... and I hope it will pay for my girl to go to university: Fan tells how she scooped the world's photographers to get the best snap of Meghan and Kate
It is the picture every photographer wanted to get.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle were snapped beaming as they walked to St Mary Magdalene Church, on the Sandringham estate, for the Christmas Day service yesterday.
This candid photo of the royal 'fab four' has been shared thousands of times on social media and has appeared on websites and in newspapers around the world this morning.
But the image was not taken by a professional photographer. Instead it is the work of single mother Karen Anvil, 39, from Watlington, Norfolk, who was among the dozens of well-wishers who gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals yesterday morning.
Ms Anvil described how she was able to grab the royals' attention by screaming like a 'fan-girl' and is now hoping the money she makes from it will help pay for 17-year-old daughter Rachel's university fees.
The Fab Four: This picture taken by an onlooker shows Prince William and Kate Middleton walking hand-in-hand - alongside 'couple of the moment' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they arrived at the church on Monday morning
Single mother Karen Anvil, 39, from Watlington, Norfolk, said she now hopes money from the photo will help pay for her 17-year-old daughter Rachel's university fees. Pictured, Ms Anvil with her daughter Rachel
Speaking to the BBC, she said: 'I'm just very bubbly by nature and I was with my daughter and I got a bit excitable, I suppose.
'I was just sort of shouting and I just went "Merry Christmas!" like an idiot. I was fan-girling. That's all I said and got them to look.'
Ms Anvil and Rachel were among the supporters who braved the chilly temperatures to catch a glimpse of the senior royals on their way to church yesterday.
The crowds are permitted to line the route while professional photographers are restricted in where they can go, giving Ms Anvil her excellent vantage point.
She shared the image on Twitter yesterday morning and was shocked when it quickly swept the web.
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are pictured bowing and curtsying to the Queen - while Prince Philip looks on ahead of Christmas Day Church Service in Sandringham
Ms Anvil explained that at first she allowed people to use the image for free before realising there was the potential to earn some money.
Followers and other Twitter users started commenting on the picture, telling Ms Anvil she could charge for its use.
Ms Anvil said she will put any money she earns towards paying for Rachel's education.
Meghan Markle kept a tight grip on Prince Harry's arm as they left St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham. As she prepared to curtsy for the Queen, Meghan seemed nervous and sought comfort from Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge
Follow my lead: Meghan looks to future sister-in-law Kate Middleton and Prince William outside the church
Harry seemed to mutter some words of advice as the Queen and Prince Phillip prepared for their departure. Meghan nodded back, sure of the plan
She added: 'The thing is - and I hate to play the single mum card - I'm a single parent, I work two jobs, which I'm proud of and I've always worked.
'Now I want to save money for my daughter for uni and if I can do that, and can get that opportunity that's amazing.'
Meghan was elegant in a wide collar, camel wrap coat by Canadian luxury brand Sentaler as she made her appearance with the Royal Family on Christmas Day.
She turned her smile back on as they prepared for to curtsy for the Queen and Prince Philip
The Duchess of Cambridge showed Meghan how it was done as they curtsied for the Queen at the Christmas Day service
Her coat tapered in around the waist and flared out at the hem for the St Mary Magdalene Church Christmas service.
Matching her camel coat with a chestnut-brown felt hat, Meghan wore a pair of coordinating £630 Stuart Weitzman's Hiline high-heeled suede boots.
Meghan and the Queen met privately with Harry before their engagement was announced but had not been seen together by others until today.
After her curtsy to the Queen, Harry led Meghan to a wheelchair-ridden well-wisher who had waited in the cold to wish the couple a Merry Christmas.
The pair then accepted bouquets from fans as they walked back to Sandringham House.
Meghan quickly reached for Harry's arm once the Queen was settled in her car. She was instantly more at ease and returned to small talk with Prince William . Harry reverted to his 'paperclip' hand gesture, stuffing his hand in his coat, which body language experts said was a way of comforting himself
Meghan, with her first curtsy behind her and a day of formal festivities ahead, seemed to loosen up as she greeted and accepted gifts from well-wishers.
Kate, who is pregnant with her third child and showed off a small baby bump beneath a striking £2,655 tartan Miu Miu coat.
She completed her look with a £900 round handbag in brown leather and caramel suede with a gold coloured handle made by Chloe, while a pair of Maison Birk diamond earrings added a touch of sparkle to Ms Markle's classy ensemble.
They are the same £3,500 Snowflake design earrings she wore to her Buckingham Palace dinner last week.
It is thought her brown hat may be a Jane Taylor piece, a milliner popular with Kate.
It is the first time Meghan and Kate have been pictured together since Meghan and Prince Harry revealed their impending nuptials.
Job done: With her curtsy behind her, she followed Prince Harry into the crowds to meet a woman who had waited in a wheelchair in the cold to meet them
Well-wishers were overjoyed to see the newest Royal couple stepping out with each other for Christmas Day
Among the well-wishers was Judith Wallis, who was sitting in a wheelchair and is staying at the neighbouring Park House Hotel on her first Christmas Day visit to Sandringham
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