PranKk. Posted December 25, 2019 Posted December 25, 2019 Prince Andrew kept a low profile as members of the Royal Family attended Christmas Day church services in Sandringham in Norfolk. While a large crowd watched the Queen and family members arrive for the main 11am service, the prince attended an earlier service. Prince Andrew was also absent as family members left the church after the service to greet members of the public. Prince Philip, who was released from hospital on Tuesday, did not attend. Wednesday's service also saw an appearance by Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who joined the annual Christmas gathering at St Mary Magdalene Church for the first time. There had been speculation over whether Prince Andrew would join the rest of his family at Sandringham today. The prince has "stepped back" from his royal duties after controversy over his links with billionaire sex offender Jeffery Epstein. While most of the family arrived in front of crowds lining the roads, Andrew, accompanied by his brother, arrived earlier at the church and used a different entrance. The BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the prince was a "significant absentee" from the main service at 11am. Our correspondent said: "If he had attended [the main service] a lot of the coverage would have been around him. He has become... something of an embarrassment currently to the Royal Family." The 11am service was broadcast live to the hundreds of visitors who had gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church. Some had queued from the early hours of Wednesday morning in the hope of seeing the Royal Family. 'Bumpy' year The Queen's attendance at church precedes her Christmas Day message - in which she will describe 2019 as "quite bumpy". She will say the path is never "smooth" but "small steps" can heal divisions. Her message comes after a year of intense political debate over Brexit, as well as a number of personal events affecting the Royal Family, such as the controversy over her son Andrew and her husband's health. Queen speaks of ‘bumpy’ year in Christmas message Philip leaves hospital for Christmas with Queen William's kiss for Louis in new photo by Kate 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. 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 Wednesday's early service follows a Newsnight interview in which he was questioned about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. It was after that interview that it was announced Prince Andrew would retire from public life. The Earl of Wessex and his daughter Lady Louise Windsor also arrived for the Christmas morning church service. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex did 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. 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 refers to the life of Jesus and the importance of reconciliation. 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. She will reflect on how former "sworn enemies" joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone this year.
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