Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex and Lady Louise Windsor head to Christmas Day church service in Sandringham as William, Kate and other royals stay away over fears they would attract large crowds
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex attended a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham this morning.
The couple were joined by their children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk.
Sandringham in Norfolk is in Tier Two of coronavirus regulations and it is permitted to meet for services in a place of worship with other members of your household.
The family drove to the church at 11am in 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 face masks) attended a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham this morning
The couple were joined by their children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk. Pictured is Sophie in the front of the car
The family drove to the church at 11am in a Land Rover Discovery and attended morning service with other members of a pre-registered public congregation
The family are believed to be staying in the main Sandringham House on the Norfolk estate and have been there since last Sunday. Pictured is Lady Louise Windsor in the back of the car
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The family are believed to be staying in the main Sandringham House on the Norfolk estate and have been there since last Sunday.
This year's main service which the Queen and other members of the Royal Family normally attend was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The family left the service at 11.45am with Prince Edward and his wife both wearing face masks and returned to Sandringham House.
Buckingham Palace have been contacted for comment.
The family left the service at 11.45am with Prince Edward and his wife both wearing face masks and returned to Sandringham House
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie and children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor driving to the Christmas Day morning church service
Earlier this week it was revealed that William, Kate and other royals would not be attending church at Sandringham on Christmas Day for the first time in 32 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Norfolk Police on Wednesday released a statement confirming that 'no members' of the Royal family would be at the traditional service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
William and Kate stayed away even though they are spending the festive break at their country home Anmer Hall which is just two miles away.
The family drove to the church at 11am in a Land Rover Discovery before leaving to go back to Sandringham
The service was held at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, today. Other members of the royal family would normally attend
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Prince Edward and Sophie attend last year's church service with their children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Windsor
Police broke with convention to make the announcement to try and persuade members of the public to stay away from the church today.
Thousands of loyal fans normally pack into the paddock beside the church to watch the Queen and other members of the Royal family attend the 11am service.
But they were advised to keep away this year due to the risk of Covid-19 spreading among crowds gathering for a glimpse of the Royals.
The Norfolk Police statement said: 'Members of the public and media are advised there will be no organised royal event at Sandringham this year.
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attend the annual Christmas church service for the Royals at Sandringham last year
Norfolk Police confirmed earlier this week that no royals would be attending the traditional church service in Sandringham this year, breaking a 32-year tradition. Pictured: Prince William and wife Kate, and Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrive at the Sandringham service in 2017
'Members of the Royal Family will not be attending the usual Christmas Day service.'
It was revealed at the start of December that the 94-year-old Queen and Prince Philip, 99, will be spending Christmas quietly at Windsor Castle instead of Sandringham.
The Royal family have spent Christmas at Sandringham every year since 1988 when they moved festivities to Norfolk due to Winsor Castle being rewired.
Normally the Queen is driven to the service in her maroon-coloured Bentley while other family members walk a quarter of a mile to the church from Sandringham House.
Last year Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte mingled with crowds as they attended the service at the 18th century church for the first time.