Queen to miss Christmas Day church service 'due to cold'

Image copyrightPA

Image captionMembers of the Royal Family arrived for a private service without the Queen

The Queen will not attend church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold.

Buckingham Palace said she would stay indoors to help her recover but added that she would still participate in the family's Christmas Day celebrations.

Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Harry and other royals are attending a service at Sandringham, the Queen's Norfolk estate.

Crowds have already gathered in expectation of their attendance.

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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.

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThe Queen leaving the service at Sandringham in 2015

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."

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