A right royal thumping: William and Harry help local pub team to resounding 4-1 win in the annual Sandringham Christmas Eve football match 

Prince William runs in with the ball and has a determined look on his face while a teammate grins behind him as he competed in the charity match along with his brother Prince Harry

Harry wasn't afraid to get muddy as he went in for the ball and sent pieces of the pitch flying in a dramatic move

Brotherly love: The pair hug in the rain and appear red-faced from their match while sharing a moving moment and William has plenty of mud on his shirt from the game

Villagers living near the Queen's Sandringham estate had the chance to glimpse the football skills of Prince Harry and Prince William during a Christmas Eve match - pictured, Harry heading the ball as William looks on in the background

Royal skills: Father-of-two William proudly sported stripy socks in claret and sky blue to support his football team Aston Villa while taking a shot with the ball during the festive Christmas Eve match this morning

Both William, 33, and Harry, 31, seemed to be taking the match seriously and took several opportunities to stretch on the pitch. Harry is pictured stretches his hamstring against a fence before the Sandringham Estate match kicked off this morning

Father-of-two William proudly sported stripy socks in claret and sky blue to support his football team Aston Villa. He was also pictured running around waving his arms to warm up in the cold December weather

Father-of-two William was pictured bending down to touch his toes and also doing press ups on the pitch before kick-off, while he must have been chilly as he put his grey hooded sweatshirt on with white shorts 

The princes looked at ease among the other players and got involved in the action on the pitch

William gets physical ahead of the match stretching out his leg with high steps across the pitch

William doesn't skimp on the stretching and bends backwards while appearing lost in thought

William was off the pitch last year due to an ankle injury so no doubt relished taking part this year in the charity football match

The prince does press ups on the pitch and shows his fitness is clearly at a peak with his technique

Harry gets in on the stretching act by doing lunges and going right down to the floor before the football match kicked off

Harry was prepared for any weather in a raincoat and wore navy and green socks with his football trainers

William slides after the ball while a member of the opposing team in a white and red shirt comes in for the ball

William switched direction with the ball to fool an opponent and continues to head down the pitch in his white England shorts

Going for a high kick William managed to tap the ball while his teammate comes in to help with the play

The duo take a minute to chat and might be discussing tactics on how their team can emerge victorious in the charity match 

Harry goes in for a header and appears to be putting his heart and soul into the match and even extremely muddy knees aren't putting him off his stride

Harry takes a quiet moment to wipe his brow during a pause in the match, he might be wiping away sweat or simply some more mud

William takes a throw in while lunging forward and doesn't appear distracted while an opponent marks him  

When Prince William throws the football in his teammate, right, jogs in to lend a hand while a bystander watches the action

The match is an annual tradition for the royals but last year William gave it a miss to enjoy a festive break at his home in nearby Anmer Hall

Both princes wore shirts emblazoned with the name of the Black Horse Inn, the pub in Castle Rising, to play in a yellow and black shirt

William looks like he's been wrong-footed by a rival player who has tackled him for the ball but the prince doesn't let the move ruin the game

The opponent looks like he's making off with the ball but William doggedly attempts to get it back with his tongue sticking out in concentration

The prince gets ready for another shot as the ball flies through the air towards him on the pitch

Harry gestures over the pitch to someone else and appears to be frustrated about something due to his gritted teeth

Harry checks where his opponent is as he darts for the ball and nips past another player behind him

A player for the other team flicks the ball behind him as William looks over at the blue and yellow ball

Harry looks deliriously happy at the end of the match as he waves his arms in a celebratory dance

Harry falls to his knees at the end of the match, raises his hands over his head and stares at the ground

William claps both teams following the match in the spirit of good sportsmanship and appears to be a little worn out following the match

Harry and William come in for a hug after the match in a show of solidarity while other players congratulate each other near by

The pair share a word after the match with William putting a brotherly hand on Harry's shoulder

Harry stands proudly with his hands on his hips and appears happy with the game's result while William is stood behind him

Harry hugs a young girl who had been watching the match who doesn't seem to mind his muddy shirt

Both teams pose for an end of match picture with all looking on the muddy side and the rain dampening their hair but not their spirits

After the match, the brothers change into sweatshirts and jeans and head home in the rain

The squad get ready before the match with William in his grey hoody and Harry in a dark raincoat while other players do stretches like lunges and touch their toes

A teammate stretches while Harry and William chat and they're still wearing outer coats before they get serious about the match