The Queen missed the annual New Year's Day church service at Sandringham as a result of a lingering heavy cold which she has had for over a week.
A palace spokesperson confirmed: “Her Majesty the Queen will not attend Sunday worship at Sandringham today. The Queen does not yet feel ready to attend church as she is still recuperating from a heavy cold.”
Her Majesty has not been seen in public for 12 days now, having also missed the Christmas Day church service for the first time in 28 years.
Her Majesty was too ill to attend the New Year's Day church service
Prince Philip attended the service held at St Mary Madelene Church along with Princess Anne, Prince Edward and other members of the royal family.
Prince Philip was seen at the New Year's Day church service on Sunday morning
Over the Christmas period, the Queen was forced to change her travel plans last minute due to ill health. The 90 year old monarch and Prince Philip, 95 had been due to take their annual train journey from London to King's Lynn in Norfolk on the 21 December - a signal of the start of their break. A palace spokesperson confirmed to HELLO! Online at the time: "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have heavy colds, and so have decided not to travel to Sandringham today." Instead, the following day they made their way to Sandringham on a private helicopter.
Prince Philip had been well enough to attend the Christmas Day service, joined by Prince Charles, Prince Harry among other royal family members. It was also reported that the following day, he attended the annual Boxing Day pheasant shoot.