In a show of unity the Queen was joined by her family as she attended church on Christmas morning, though the scandal-plagued Prince Andrew reportedly attended an earlier service with his mother, and did not join his family for the more public 11 a.m. service.
For the first time Her Majesty was also joined by her great grandchildren Prince George, six, and Princess Charlotte (four) who are now old enough to attend Christmas morning service and joined their father William and mother Kate for the walk into church, alongside their grandfather Prince Charles. Prince Louis who is only one and too young to sit still throughout the service, was being cared for at home.
The Cambridge children’s surprise appearance delighted well-wishers who had gathered outside Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham for hours in the cold to greet the royals.
The family had also released a new photograph of the children on Instagram early on Christmas morning, taken by Kate:
The Duke of Edinburgh, who was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve morning was understood to be resting at Sandringham House. Philip, 98, spent four days at King Edward VII hospital where he was treated for a pre-existing condition. Much to the Queen’s relief he was discharged in time to be home with the family for Christmas.
The royals celebrate Christmas with a turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Eve, when they also open presents. Today they will enjoy a second Christmas lunch before gathering to watch the Queen’s speech at 3 p.m. The annual broadcast is watched by millions of people around the world and was filmed at Windsor Castle in the Green Drawing Room last week,
As we reported this week, the Queen had labored over her speech this year, not knowing how to refer to what many have dubbed her second “annus horribilis.” Aides told Vanity Fair that the significant events of the year will be referenced while it has been reported that the Queen will refer to 2019 being “bumpy.”
The Queen is expected to speak about the importance of “small steps” in overcoming problems. The Queen is expected to reference the political turmoil of the past year and Brexit, and she is also set to speak about the problems in her own family, the first time she has publicly done so. The year started with Prince Philip being in a serious car crash which resulted in a police investigation and the Duke handing over his drivers license. The year ended with the Duke being admitted to hospital just six months from his 99th birthday.