Queen Elizabeth II misses church because of cold

Queen Elizabeth II. AP file photo

LONDON—A cold kept Queen Elizabeth II away from her usual visit to church at her country retreat in Sandringham in the east of England, a spokeswoman said.

“The queen was getting over the tail end of a cold,” the spokeswoman said. “We are expecting business as usual next week.”

Prince Philip, the queen’s 91-year-old husband, did however attend the service at St Mary Magdalene Church along with other members of the royal family.

A few dozen onlookers watched them arrive.

The 86-year-old queen traditionally spends Christmas with her family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England.

This year however, Prince William and his pregnant wife Catherine are to spend Christmas Day at her parents’ family house and visit Sandringham later in the season.

Prince Harry is currently serving in Afghanistan as an Apache attack helicopter pilot.

Prince Philip has had his own health problems. He had to spend last Christmas in hospital after being rushed for surgery on a blocked coronary artery.