Princess Anne missed key Royal traditions this Christmas, here's why

The hardest-working Royal missed the very special and traditional every year Christmas engagement and she has a good reason for it.

Princess Anne: Here’s why Princess Royal missed Christmas church service
© Max Mumby
Princess Anne: Here’s why Princess Royal missed Christmas church service

Christmas 2022 – despite Queen Elizabeth II’s death – saw the Royal Family follow the Royal tradition of walking to church in Sandringham. While the entire family gathered together and attended the Christmas church service, one very prominent person was missing.

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Where was Princess Anne?

Princess Anne – who also became the most-hardworking Royal this year with 214 engagements – decided not to join her family in the tradition. Mirror reported that Princess Royal missed the service because she was suffering from a cold.

Reportedly, she has been struck ill and is taking her well-deserved rest after not just her maximum number of public engagements but also personal engagements including accompanying her mother’s coffin from Scotland.

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The King’s most industrious sibling also missed Kate Middleton’s Abbey Carol service due to a conflict in schedules. She attended the London International Horse Show at ExCel London on December 15 which made it impossible for her to attend the festive carol service.

The Royal Christmas church service

The Royal Family spent Christmas at Sandringham House for the first time after the Pandemic. The King and Queen Consort were joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton. BBC confirmed the Prince and Princess of Wales were accompanied by their son Prince Louis for the first time.

Other senior Royals, including the disgraced Duke of York, were also present at the service. Many people gathered around the church to see a glimpse of the Royal Family – some even got flowers and gifts for the Royals.

After the 45-minute service the fab four – Charles, Camille, William and Kate – spent some time talking to the well-wishers gathered outside the church.

Read more Royal Family: Here's why Prince Edward and Sophie's children never appear on their Christmas cards

Sources used

Mirror: Why hardest-working royal Princess Anne didn't join others at Christmas church service

BBC: King Charles greets Sandringham crowds after Christmas Day service

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