British Royal Family Attends Christmas Day Service

• Prince Philip not present, recovering from surgery in hospital. 
• Duchess of Cambridge joins Royal Family for the Christmas Service the first time. 
• Rugby star Mike Tindall present.

For the sake of the holidays, the Royal Family cheers up, after all
they have the reason, thanks to Prince Philip's recovery.

The Royal Family celebrated Christmas Day service at Sandringham, their Norfolk estate that serves as their Christmas retreat every year. Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh's conditions progresses as he recovers at hospital in Cambridgeshire. This is the first time that the Queen with the Royal Family celebrates Christmas without Prince Philip.


In his sermon, Sandringham's rector, the Rev. Jonathan Riviere asked the congregation to join him in a prayer for the Duke of Edinburgh's speedy recovery.

"We pray for the Queen and the Royal Family, especially today we pray for Prince Philip and his continued recovery,” he said.

Hundreds of people flocked at the gates to see the Queen and her family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall, as they go to the royal estate's church.

England rugby player Mike Tindall and the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, who wedded last summer, were present at service.

Sandringham is the royal family's official residence for Christmas. Philip normally treads the few hundred yards from the main house to the church and since the Queen's ascension had never missed a Christmas Day service.

Well-wishers called out with questions about the Duke, but members of the family did not respond.

The royals traditionally gather at Sandringham for Christmas. Prince Philip normally walks the few hundred yards from the main house to the church and is not thought to have missed a Christmas Day service before.

Although the crowd repeatedly asked questions about the Duke, members of the family did not make any response.

This is the first time that the Duchess of Cambridge spends Christmas as a member of the Royal Family after her highly publicized wedding to Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, in April.

Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and Camilla (L-R) lead the
royal family on their way to the church service. 

The Duchess of Cambridge warmly accepts some flowers from a girl.

The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers from
well-wishers after the Christmas Day Service.

The Duke of Cambridge escorts her lovely wife, the smiling Duchess.

Prince Harry beams while meeting the cheering crowds.

The Duchess of Cambridge receives a lovely rose from one of the crowds.

Zarah Phillips attends the Christmas service with
husband Mike Tindall.

Princess Beatrice in her smart look, wearing brown
hat and coat, with a clutch bag at hand.

Rugby player Mike Tindall joins the Royal Family's
Christmas Day Service.

The Royal Family on their way to church.

The Duke of York is very merrily warm despite
the cold Christmas morning.

Princess Anne is kept warm with all the wrap for
Christmas Day Service.

Photo Source, The Daily Mail, retrieved Dec. 25, 2011.