The Queen missed church on Christmas Day in Sandringham for the first time in 28 years because of illness.
The 90-year-old stayed at Sandringham House to recover from the heavy cold which delayed both her and Prince Philip’s journey from Buckingham Palace to their Norfolk residence.
But the Queen was up and about later yesterday to celebrate with her family ahead of their Christmas lunch.
A spokesman said: “The Queen continues to recover from a heavy cold and will stay indoors.
“Her Majesty will participate in the Royal Family Christmas celebrations during the day.”
Prince Philip, 95, who has also been unwell, went by car to church and had walked there and back for an earlier private service.
Prince Charles stood in for his father, leading the family on the short walk to St Mary Magdalene Church where they have attended the Christmas service since 1988 when Royal celebrations moved from Windsor.
He was accompanied by his wife, Camilla, Prince Andrew and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Princess Anne and husband Timothy Laurence, Peter Phillips and wife Autumn and their
daughters Isla and Savannah, Prince Edward and his children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex travelled with Prince Philip in the car.
As the royals left the service, Prince Harry chatted and joked with some of the crowd. Ada Nesbitt, 93, had flashing lights and a “ho, ho, ho” blanket on her wheelchair.
Her daughter Jane, 56, said: “Harry said you expect to get noticed, dressed like that. It’s a pity to miss the Queen but if she’s not well, she’s not well.”
Sarah Burgoyne, 53, had brought her mum June, 84, who has Alzheimer’s.
Sarah said: “Prince Harry stopped to talk and she started singing ‘Hark the Herald’ to him and he said, ‘You’re such a good singer – wasn’t the singing terrible in the church?’”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Kate’s home village of Bucklebury, Berkshire, and went with Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a service at St Mark’s Church in Englefield.
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall and her ex-England rugby star husband Mike did not attend Sandringham. They said in a statement on Christmas Eve that they had lost their second baby, due around late spring.
On Wednesday, the Queen and Prince Philip cancelled a train journey to Sandringham and went by helicopter on Thursday.
The Queen’s absence at yesterday’s service was one of the rare occasions when she has had to withdraw from duty.
In 2013, a trip to Rome was cancelled when she had gastroenteritis symptoms.
In 2011, a nosebleed caused her to miss a service at Windsor Castle.
And in 2006, she cancelled engagements after straining a back muscle.
She also scaled down official appointments after undergoing knee surgery in 2003.
