Charles and Camilla attend Windsor service ahead of Christmas Day with the Queen
The couple were joined at the chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have attended a service at St George’s Chapel ahead of spending Christmas Day with the Queen.
The couple were joined at the chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle by the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Camilla, dressed in a blue and turquoise chequered jacket and matching hat, wished a “Happy Christmas” to members of the press as the couple walked to the chapel.
It is understood the Queen’s absence from the service is a personal choice and follows a precautionary approach seen over the last six months.
Sophie and Edward were accompanied by their daughter Lady Louise and son James, Viscount Severn.
The royals were greeted at the entrance by the Dean of Windsor before moving inside for the morning service.
The service, which is ticketed, was attended by residents of the Windsor estate and members of the chapel congregation.
The Queen is expected to be joined at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day by Charles and Camilla, having shelved her customary trip to Sandringham as a “precautionary” measure amid rising coronavirus cases.
It is understood Charles and Camilla, along with Edward and Sophie, will join the monarch for lunch.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be spending Christmas in Norfolk, and will be joined by some members of the Middleton family.
This is the 95-year-old monarch’s first festive period without the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 in April.
Coronavirus restrictions at the time meant the Queen was forced to sit alone in St George’s Chapel for his funeral service.
The Queen’s address to the nation will be broadcast across multiple channels at 3pm.