Princess Anne misses annual Christmas church service after being ‘struck down with a cold’ 

Almost all of the senior royals turned out today for the family’s first Christmas gathering at Sandringham since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

But one notable royal was missing – the late monarch’s only daughter, Princess Anne.

The Princess Royal was forced to miss the family event and was likely getting some much-needed rest, after sources said she is suffering with a cold.

The 72-year-old was named the most hard-working Royal of 2022 earlier this week after it was revealed she has carried out 214 engagements since the start of the year.

Princess Anne was forced to miss the annual Christmas church service at Sandringham today. She was the hardest working royal in 2022, with 214 engagements under her belt (pictured last month)

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Almost the entire royal family turned out today for their first Christmas gathering at Sandringham since the death of Queen Elizabeth II

But King Charles III’s younger sister did not join her children Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, and the rest of the family for the annual festive service.

The Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church in the Norfolk estate has become a royal tradition, with the late monarch remaining there until February 6 most years. 

The Princess Royal has rarely been reported unwell over the years and when her husband, Sir Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, caught Covid in December last year, the royal didn’t test positive. 

Princess Anne arriving at Windsor Castle last week for the Royal Christmas lunch

Lady Louise Windsor and her mother, the Countess of Wessex, attending today’s Christmas day service

Prince Andrew speaks to Reverend Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams outside the church after the end of the service

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank pictured walking to the traditional Christmas Day church service 

The busy royal is now expected to be taking some well-earned rest after a difficult year, in which she lost her mother. 

Royal watchers also noticed her absence from another family gathering – the Christmas carol service put on by Kate, Princess of Wales, which aired last night on ITV1.

The service, which was recorded on December 15, is thought to have clashed with an engagement already in Anne’s schedule.

The keen horsewoman was attending the London International Horse Show at the ExCel on the day the service was held at Westminster Abbey, meaning she was unable to attend.

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Princess Anne topped the leaderboard for royal engagements in 2022 so far – more than double the totals for the Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales 

Among the royal family members who attended today’s annual walkabout and church service at Sandringham were the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis delighted the crowds as they strolled about the estate hand in hand with their parents today.

Also present was Anne’s brother, Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex and his wife Sophie, along with their children. 

Peter Phillips was seen at the service with his two daughters (left), while Princess Beatrice also attended with her husband and stepson (right)

King Charles III laughs as he greets the public in Sandringham on Christmas day, meeting them as monarch for the first time as he attends the Sandringham service

Prince Andrew also attended, along with his daughter Princess Beatrice, her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their stepson Christopher Woolf. 

Today’s walkabout also marked Charles’s first as monarch, and took place before his first Christmas message as King aired this afternoon.

Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are expected to stay on the estate throughout the festive period – at least until after new year.

Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment regarding the Princess Royal’s absence.