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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Susie Beever

Sad reason hard working Princess Anne missed royal Christmas tradition

All eyes were on the British royal family on Christmas Day as some of the youngest members joined the traditional walk to church in Sandringham.

But royal watchers were quick to spot the hardest working member of the family, Princess Anne, was missing from the line-up.

The late Queen's only daughter has already carried out 214 engagements this year alone - but the King's sister was nowhere to be seen on Sunday morning.

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The 72-year-old did not join her children Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, and the rest of the family for the annual festive service due to suffering from a cold, our sister title The Mirror understands.

The Princess Royal has been struck ill, and is taking a well-deserved rest after a busy year in which she has also lost her mother.

The hardest-working royal was also not able to attend Kate's Westminster Abbey carol service, which aired last night, although this was reportedly down to a conflict in schedules rather than illness.

Anne attended the London International Horse Show at ExCel London on December 15, meaning she couldn't make the festive carol service.

The King and Queen Consort Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, for the Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church in the Norfolk estate.

Prince Louis was notably absent from the Together At Christmas carol service, but stole hearts once again on Christmas morning as he appeared to tug at his mum, growing restless from the attention.

Also making an appearance ahead of the annual Christmas service were Zara and Mike Tindall, Edward and Sophie Wessex with Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn as well as Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son Wolfie.

Disgraced Prince Andrew surprised the public by making an appearance, despite reports King Charles had had him 'thrown out' of Buckingham Palace.

Andrew, who was stripped of his titles following outrage at his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was seen alongside his youngest daughter Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.

This Christmas marks the family's first without the late Queen following her death in September.

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