As the Royal Family attended their annual church service in Sandringham, Princess Anne was absent – and with good reason.

The King's sister and only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II didn't join the rest of the Royal Family including Prince Andrew, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children as they attended service at St Mary Magdalene Church on Sunday 25 December.

Princess Anne, who has carried out 214 engagements this year alone, did not attend. The palace explained she is unwell and also taking a well-deserved rest after a busy year.

2022 was also the year she, alongside brothers Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and King Charles, lost their mother Queen Elizabeth in September.

Princess Anne, who is one of the most prominent working royals, was also absent from Kate's carol service due to conflicts in schedules rather than illness. Instead Princess Anne attended the London International Horse Show at ExCel London on December 15, as a keen equestrian.

Despite her mother not attending, daughter Zara Tindall went to the service alongside husband Mike Tindall and daughter Mia.

The family joined other royals including Prince Edward and wife Sophie Wessex with their children; Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

Cousin Princess Beatrice was also in attendance with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and their son Wolfie.

Prince Andrew also attended the Christmas Day service, despite reports that King Charles has thrown him out of Buckingham Palace. Prince Andrew had previously been stripped of his royal titles and working duties after the scandal and outrage at his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

This year's royal service is the first since the Queen died in September, and is the first time in three years the royal family has returned to Sandringham. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen had opted to spend the last two Christmases at Windsor Castle instead.

Next year will mark a big year for the royal family, as King Charles III is officially coronated in May. The ceremony is to take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday May 6th, with the royal family in attendance including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Despite tensions in the family, King Charles is reported to still be "hopeful" for a reconciliation despite the continued fallout from the tell-all Netflix documentary showing Harry and Meghan's reasons for exiting the family.

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