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Royal Family attend Sandringham Christmas Day church services | Royal Family attend Sandringham Christmas Day church services |
(32 minutes later) | |
Members of the Royal Family are attending Christmas Day church services in Sandringham in Norfolk. | Members of the Royal Family are attending Christmas Day church services in Sandringham in Norfolk. |
The Queen arrived without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was released from hospital on Tuesday. | The Queen arrived without her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was released from hospital on Tuesday. |
Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, who has stepped back from royal duties, arrived earlier at St Mary Magdalene Church. | Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, who has stepped back from royal duties, arrived earlier at St Mary Magdalene Church. |
Other Royal Family members are expected to attend the 11am service, with their arrival watched by a large crowd. | Other Royal Family members are expected to attend the 11am service, with their arrival watched by a large crowd. |
Prince George and Princess Charlotte are set to attend the annual Christmas church gathering for the first time. | Prince George and Princess Charlotte are set to attend the annual Christmas church gathering for the first time. |
The services are ahead of the Queen's Christmas Day message in which she will describe 2019 as "quite bumpy". | The services are ahead of the Queen's Christmas Day message in which she will describe 2019 as "quite bumpy". |
Prince Phillip returned to Sandringham on Christmas Eve after spending four nights in hospital. | Prince Phillip returned to Sandringham on Christmas Eve after spending four nights in hospital. |
He was taken to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Friday on the advice of his doctor. | He was taken to King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Friday on the advice of his doctor. |
The 98-year-old retired from public life in August 2017 and his last public appearance was at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in May. | The 98-year-old retired from public life in August 2017 and his last public appearance was at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in May. |
Prince Andrew's presence at today's service follows the controversy surrounding his ties to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. | Prince Andrew's presence at today's service follows the controversy surrounding his ties to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. |
He was asked about his relationship with the billionaire in a Newsnight interview in November, and shortly afterwards it was announced he would step back from his royal duties. | He was asked about his relationship with the billionaire in a Newsnight interview in November, and shortly afterwards it was announced he would step back from his royal duties. |
The Earl of Wessex and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor have also arrived for the Christmas morning church service. | |
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not attend this year's church service as they are in Canada taking a break from royal duties with their son Archie. | The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not attend this year's church service as they are in Canada taking a break from royal duties with their son Archie. |
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a new photograph showing the duke kissing his youngest son, Louis, alongside Prince George and Princess Charlotte. | Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a new photograph showing the duke kissing his youngest son, Louis, alongside Prince George and Princess Charlotte. |
The picture was posted by Kensington Palace on Twitter with the message: "Merry Christmas to all our followers!" | The picture was posted by Kensington Palace on Twitter with the message: "Merry Christmas to all our followers!" |
In her traditional message to the UK and Commonwealth, broadcast on BBC One and Radio 4 at 15:00 GMT on Christmas Day, the Queen will say the path is never "smooth" but "small steps" can heal divisions. | In her traditional message to the UK and Commonwealth, broadcast on BBC One and Radio 4 at 15:00 GMT on Christmas Day, the Queen will say the path is never "smooth" but "small steps" can heal divisions. |
It is a choice of words which BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell says "will inevitably prompt speculation about what it is that she's referring to". | It is a choice of words which BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell says "will inevitably prompt speculation about what it is that she's referring to". |
The head of state - who is publicly neutral on political matters - will also use her message to highlight the 75th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day landings. | The head of state - who is publicly neutral on political matters - will also use her message to highlight the 75th anniversary of the World War Two D-Day landings. |
She will reflect on how former "sworn enemies" joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone this year. | She will reflect on how former "sworn enemies" joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone this year. |