The Queen smiles at church service but grandsons miss it - The Sun

THE Queen beams at yesterday's traditional royal Christmas church service — although grandsons Wills and Harry BOTH missed it.

Her Majesty, 86, recovered from a cold and braved drizzling rain to attend the ceremony at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.

But it was a case of wish you were heir as William spent the festive period with pregnant wife Kate's family in Bucklebury, Berks. And Apache helicopter co-pilot Harry, 28, was 3,500 miles away serving in Afghanistan until the New Year.

A crowd of nearly 3,000 turned out at the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, to cheer the royals.

There were fears the Queen might miss the service after illness prevented her attending church on Sunday.

But with 91-year-old Prince Philip at her side she took time to speak to a record queue of more than 80 children who lined up to present her with flowers and gifts.

As she made her way to them — wearing a Peter Enrione turquoise blue dress, wool coat and a hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan — the smiling Duke of Edinburgh said: "Look how long the queue is."

Among the children was scout Freedom Tansely who gave the Queen a teddy bear covered in his Jubilee badges. Asked if it was for Wills, Kate and the baby, he replied "No" and insisted it was hers.

HER MAJESTY will be greeted by well wishers as she attends church today

Meanwhile William and Kate, both 30, attended St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berks — close to Kate's family home.

Kate, wearing a burgundy coat, matching ankle boots and a deep red scarf, smiled and chatted to sister Pippa.

Their decision to spend the festive break with Kate's family rather than on the royal estate was a break with tradition. Other Royal Family members at Sandringham included Prince Charles and Camilla.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie represented the younger generation and helped collect bouquets and presents passed to them by their gran.

Also there was Princess Anne's daughter Zara and her England rugby hero husband Mike Tindall. They walked out of the church hand-in-hand after the service.

Among the flag-waving crowd who stood ten deep and cheered the royals was delighted Jean Spindler, 84, from Wenhaston, Suffolk.

She said: "We've had a lovely time. I'm so glad the Queen was well enough to come."

Sarah Harrord brought children Vinny, seven and four-year-old Floriana from Lowestoft, Suffolk, to see the royals arrive.

She said: "The kids have been very good and haven't opened any presents until they saw the Queen."

a.crick@the-sun.co.uk

A lovely Jubb-lee 2012 for Her Maj

A GRATEFUL Queen toasted Britain's "splendid summer of sport" in her Christmas message — and revealed she was humbled by the millions who braved rain to celebrate her Jubilee.

She said she was struck by the "strength of fellowship and friendship" on show in 2012.

Making her first traditional address in 3D, Her Majesty added: "This past year has been one of great celebration.

"All those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes.

"In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share the excitement and drama."

The Queen, who appeared during the Olympic Opening Ceremony alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig, also praised the "dedication and effort of the army of volunteers" who made the Games a success.

Describing her Diamond Jubilee as "especially memorable", she went on: "It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago."

The Queen highlighted the rain-soaked Thames pageant, which "paid tribute to those who have shaped the UK as a maritime nation".

She said: "There was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements. That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores."

Wishing Britain a "very happy Christmas", she paid tribute to the Armed Forces, emergency services and hospital workers whose "sense of duty" meant they would be missing the ones they love on Christmas Day.

She added: "And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories."