Her Majesty the Queen has not been seen attending St George’s Church in Windsor this morning, while Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Countess Sophie and Duchess Camilla have been
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Prince Charles and Camilla arrive at church on Christmas Day
The Queen has opted not to publicly visit church this morning as the Royals celebrate a tradition-breaking Christmas Day.
Her Majesty was not spotted alongside her eldest son Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, who walked to St George’s Chapel in Windsor for a morning mass.
The Queen and her family’s visit to church on Christmas morning is a staple of British festive life.
Typically the monarch draws a big crowd when she heads to St Mary Magdalene church on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Earlier this week she decided to break with tradition and stay at Windsor Castle, where she will be joined by a small contingent of The Firm.
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Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
It was not announced that she would be staying away from church this morning and her absence has not yet been explained.
It may be that the Queen has decided to attend church privately later in the day.
When asked, Buckingham Palace said the matter was a private one.
This year is the second in a row that the Queen has decided to stay at Windsor for Christmas, due to the complexities of holding large gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince Charles and Camilla have joined Her Majesty for her first Christmas without husband of 73 years Philip by her side.
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Image:
UK Press via Getty Images)
The Queen’s youngest son Prince Edward and his wife Sophie and their children, Louise and James, are also at the Berkshire home.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are understood to be remaining at their Norfolk home, Amner Hall, for the holidays.
William and Kate and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, have been joined by members of Kate’s family for Christmas this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will also be absent, having chosen to remain in their new LA home to celebrate with their children Archie, two, and six-month-old Lilibet.
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Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Her Majesty has already cancelled her pre-Christmas lunch for extended family.
A senior palace source said: “The pre-Christmas family lunch will not be going ahead.
“The decision is a precautionary one as it is felt to put too many people’s Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead.
“While there is regret that it is cancelled, there is a belief it is the right thing to do for all concerned.”
Senior royals last week agreed to cut back on all but essential contacts to ensure the Queen would not be alone at Christmas, after like so many others last year being forced to be apart from her loved ones.
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