Camilla pulls out of Christmas church service at last minute due to ill health
CAMILLA, the Duchess of Cornwall, pulled out of attending the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham at the last minute, leaving Prince Charles to arrive with his children.
Royals arrive at Sandringham for Christmas Day service
Charles and his wife of 13 years were meant to be among members of the Royal Family out in force for the service on Christmas Day. The royals traditionally spend the festive period at Sandringham House, the Queen’s country residence in Norfolk. And the Christmas service St Mary Magdalene church is an annual event in the royal calendar.
But Prince Charles arrived on his own, and walked in front of his son Prince William, wife Kate, and Prince Harry and wife Meghan after the eleventh hour decision.
Camilla is suffering from a heavy cold, and was also forced to pull out of the Queen's annual Christmas lunch and Buckingham Palace last week on December 19.
Prince Charles arrived at the festivities alone, before joining other members of the Royal Family.
READ MORE: Kate puts Meghan Markle rift claims behind her for Christmas church service with William
Charles and Camilla proved they were in the festive spirit earlier this month as they shared their Christmas card photo.
The stunning image shows the couple looking lovingly at each other as they sit on a bench in the grounds of Clarence House.
The Duchess of Cornwall looks elegant in a cream dress while Charles is typically smart in a suit.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle shows baby bump as she and Harry attend Christmas Day church service
The message in the card reads: "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
The photograph was taken by Hugo Burnand, who also took photos at their wedding in 2005.
And stunning family pictures were released last month to celebrate Charles’s 70th birthday.
The lovely photos featured the couple, Charles’s sons, their wives and his beloved grandchildren.
And in a BBC documentary to mark the milestone occasion, Charles spoke about the prospect of one day becoming King.
He said: "It's vital to remember there's only room for one sovereign at a time, not two.
"So, you can't be the same as the sovereign if you're the Prince of Wales or the heir.
"But the idea, somehow, that I'm going to go on in exactly the same way, if I have to succeed, is complete nonsense because the two - the two situations - are completely different."