Duke of Edinburgh misses royals' Christmas Day service

[dutchman]

The Royal Family have attended a Christmas Day service at a church on their Sandringham estate without Prince Philip, who is still in hospital.



Afterwards, the royals - including, for the first time, the Duchess of Cambridge - greeted well-wishers.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 90, had a coronary stent fitted on Friday after suffering chest pains.

The Rev Jonathan Riviere prayed for him during the service. Family members are due to visit the duke after lunch.

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

BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt says family members are set to visit the duke in hospital after their lunch, scheduled for 13:00 GMT.

Our correspondent says Prince Philip is, by all accounts, eager to leave Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire but Buckingham Palace said the Duke remained "in good spirits".

Well-wishers began arriving at Sandringham's St Mary Magdalene Church before 07:00 GMT and police estimated that some 3,000 people were waiting outside by the time the royals arrived for the Christmas Day service.

After the service, family members walked amongst those gathered, accepting flowers and engaging in conversation.

Prince Charles said his father was "very well" when one royal fan asked after Prince Philip's health. Well-wisher Camilla Fitt said that the Prince of Wales had told her the duke was "very determined".

[dutchman]