Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor head to Christmas Day Mass in Sandringham while William, Kate and other royals walk away for fear of attracting large crowds
- The couple joined sons James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor in the church today
- Family headed to St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, which is under Level Two restrictions
- This year’s main service, which the queen and other members of the royal family normally attend, has been canceled
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Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex attended a service on Christmas Day in Sandringham this morning.
The couple was accompanied by their sons James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Norfolk.
Sandringham in Norfolk is at Level Two of the coronavirus regulations and is allowed to meet for religious services at a place of worship with other members of his family.
The family drove to church at 11 am on a Land Rover Discovery and attended the morning service with other members of a pre-registered public congregation.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, countess of Wessex, (pictured in their masks) attended a religious service on Christmas Day in Sandringham this morning
The couple was accompanied by their sons James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Norfolk. In the picture is Sophie in front of the car
The family drove to church at 11 am on a Land Rover Discovery and attended morning mass with other members of a pre-registered public congregation
The family is believed to be staying at the main Sandringham House on the Norfolk estate and has been there since last Sunday. Pictured is Lady Louise Windsor at the back of the car
The family is believed to be staying at the main Sandringham House on the Norfolk estate and has been there since last Sunday.
This year’s main service, which the queen and other members of the royal family normally attend, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The family left the service at 11:45 am with Prince Edward and his wife wearing masks and returned to Sandringham House.
Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.
The family left the service at 11:45 am with Prince Edward and his wife (pictured) both wearing masks and returned to Sandringham House
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie and sons James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor drive to the Christmas Day morning religious service
Earlier this week, it was revealed that William, Kate and other royalty were not going to church in Sandringham on Christmas Day for the first time in 32 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Norfolk Police released a statement on Wednesday confirming that “no member” of the royal family would be in traditional worship at St. Mary Magdalene Church.
William and Kate stayed away, even though they were spending the festive holidays at their country house, Anmer Hall, which is just two miles away.
The family drove to church at 11am on a Land Rover Discovery before returning to Sandringham
The service was performed at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, today. Other members of the royal family would normally attend
Prince Edward and Sophie attended last year’s religious service with their sons James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor
The police broke the convention by making the announcement to try to persuade the public to stay away from the church today.
Thousands of loyal fans usually flock to the paddock next to the church to watch the Queen and other members of the royal family attend the 11 am service.
But they were advised to stay away this year due to the risk of Covid-19 spreading among the crowds that flocked to see the Royals.
The Norfolk Police statement said: ‘Members of the public and the media are informed that there will be no real events organized in Sandringham this year.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attended the annual Christmas service for the Royals in Sandringham last year
Norfolk Police confirmed earlier this week that no royalty would attend traditional religious service in Sandringham this year, breaking a 32-year-old tradition. In the photo: Prince William and wife Kate, and Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrive at the service in Sandringham in 2017
‘Members of the Royal Family will not attend the usual Christmas Day service.’
It was revealed in early December that the 94-year-old queen and 99-year-old Prince Philip will spend Christmas quietly at Windsor Castle instead of Sandringham.
The royal family has spent Christmas in Sandringham every year since 1988, when they moved the festivities to Norfolk due to the reconnection of Winsor Castle.
Usually, the Queen is brought into service in her brown Bentley, while other family members walk four hundred meters from Sandringham House to the church.
Last year, Prince George and his sister, Princess Charlotte, mingled with the crowd when attending mass in the 18th century church for the first time.