Duchess of Cornwall misses Christmas Day church service at Sandringham after 'putting her back out'

This is not the first time the royal has missed an engagement due to ill health

Members of the Royal Family arrive for the Christmas Day Service (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cornwall has missed this year’s Christmas Day service due to a bad back.

She was not among the members of the Royal Family who made their way to St Mary Magdalene Church near the Queen's home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk for the traditional church service.

A spokeswoman for Clarence House confirmed: “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall will not attend the traditional family church service at Sandringham, St Mary Magdalene Church, on Christmas Day.

“The Duchess put her back out earlier in December and has been in pain and is receiving physiotherapy. The doctors have advised against any travel.”

This is not the first time the Duchess of Cornwall has had to miss official engagements due to ill health, back in November she did not attend the penultimate day of a tour of Mexico due to sinus problems.

Also, missing from the service was Prince George, who was left at home with his nanny while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the service.

Well-wishers turned up in their thousands to see the royal family making their way on foot to the annual service. The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Harry were among those seen walking to the service.

Additional reporting by PA