Queen to miss Christmas Day church service ‘due to cold’

The Queen will not attend church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, Buckingham Palace has said.

A spokesman said the Queen would stay indoors to help her recover but said she would still participate in the family’s Christmas celebrations.

Other members of the Royal Family are still expected to attend the service.

Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, the Queen’s Norfolk estate, in expectation of the service.

The Queen and Prince Philip began their Christmas break this week one day late, postponing their trip because they were both suffering from colds.

They flew from Buckingham Palace to the Norfolk estate by helicopter on Thursday, having missed a train on Wednesday.

A palace spokesman said: “Her Majesty the Queen will not attend church at Sandringham this morning.

“The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors to assist with her recovery.

“Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day.”

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Earl of Wessex are among those still expected at the service.

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating Christmas with the Middleton family in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Source: BBC