William and Kate miss Sandringham service

There had been rumours that Prince William and Catherine would attend the service after spending Christmas Day with her family in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

It is understood the couple paid a brief visit to the Queen’s Norfolk residence earlier in the week, during which they attended a shoot on the estate, but left before the church service.

Only a small contingent of the Royal Family, made up of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, attended the service at St Mary Magdalene Church as about 200 wellwishers looked 
on.

Members of the crowd expressed disappointment at William and Kate’s absence.

The Queen, wearing a pink dress coat, was driven the short distance from Sandringham house in a Bentley, escorted by the Countess of Wessex.

She had recovered from a cold to attend the Christmas Day service.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 91, who was forced to miss the service 
last year because of a heart problem, made his way to church on foot.

Earlier this month, it was announced that William and Kate are expecting their first child, after the duchess was admitted to hospital with an acute bout of morning sickness. Since then they have attended few public engagements.

Prince Harry is on a tour of duty as an Apache helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps in Afghanistan, the second time he has been on active service against the Taliban.

During the 40-minute service, the royals sang hymns including O Little Town Of Bethlehem.

Afterwards, the smiling
Queen collected flowers from waiting children before being driven back to Sandringham house for lunch.