Philip’s much better
Charles issues cheery update – but Andrew’s missing again
PRINCE Charles laughed and joked with royal fans on the way to church yesterday – and told them his poorly father Philip was feeling ‘much better’.
The future king waved at the 1,500 well-wishers as he walked with sister Anne to join the Queen for the morning service at 16th century St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham.
Wrapped in a thick coat, he stopped and chatted to them before giving the positive update on the Duke of Edinburgh, 98, who did not attend following his pre-Christmas hospital stay.
Charles also pointed at a West Highland terrier called Poppy and quipped at regular Sandringham visitors Linda and Alan Etches: ‘That looks familiar!’
The Queen, wearing a primrose yellow coat and matching hat with black band and feather detail, was driven to church in her maroon Bentley with Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
But there was no sign of Prince Andrew who stepped down from public duties last month over the scandal of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. A source on the estate suggested he had already departed from Sandringham House, possibly as early as Friday morning, after joining the traditional Boxing Day shoot.
The service was led by Sandringham rector, the Rev Canon Jonathan Riviere, and began with the National Anthem.
It was followed by prayers for the Queen and Prince Philip as well as health workers, teachers, social workers, charity volunteers, the Armed Forces and emergency services. It was broadcast to crowds outside by loudspeakers set at a far higher volume than normal after complaints in previous years it could not be heard.
The service also featured carols It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, As with Gladness, Men of Old and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
The Queen, 93, was met with a round of applause from the crowd as she walked down the steps of the church after the service while chatting to the Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham Usher, who had given a sermon.
She smiled and waved as she and Sophie were driven home on her
Norfolk estate. Edward cracked jokes on his walk back, telling those standing in the chilly breeze: ‘I bet you’re rather wishing you brought more clothes now.’
Local art gallery owner Alison
Parriss, 55, who was in the crowd, said: ‘The Queen looked resplendent in a fantastic bright outfit. Considering all her troubles at home, she looked really good.’
Also at the service were
Edward’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 16, and Anne’s husband Sir Tim Laurence.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, is thought to have left Sandringham soon after Christmas to have a late festive celebration with her children and grandchildren, as she does every year.
Philip spent four nights in hospital after being flown from Sandringham to King Edward VII in London on the Friday before Christmas for what was described as ‘observation and treatment’ to a pre-existing condition.
He left on Christmas Eve and was flown back in the Queen’s
Sikorsky S-76 helicopter which touched down on Sandringham’s lawn. He has now not been seen at the Queen’s local church for more than a year.
Andrew did not join his family at the 11am service on Christmas Day and instead went to an earlier one, walking to church with Charles before crowds were admitted to the area by the church.
It was reported officials feared he might be booed if he walked to the main service. It followed criticism of his Newsnight interview in which he fiercely denied having sex with Epstein’s ‘sex slave’ Virginia Roberts when she was 17.
‘Andrew is said to have left already’