

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Although Prince Philip, 97, joined the royal family for Christmas lunch (opens in new tab) at Buckingham Palace last week, he decided not to participate in the Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene, a church on the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
This is the first year we haven't seen the Duke of Edinburgh lead the annual walk (FYI, the Queen arrived by car (opens in new tab) as she usually does). There was speculation that Philip might meet the rest of the royal family inside the service where Prince George, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 3, are waiting for their parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the rest of the royal family. But now it's being reported that he's not there at all.
According to Buckingham Palace, there's no cause for alarm (opens in new tab), and he's just spending the holiday privately with the family. However, it's still a bit unusual for him to be missing such a big royal event. Prince Charles, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and Prince William were all spotted on the walk in without him.
Royal reporter Rebecca English explained via Twitter, "The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, is not at church today. BP tell me there is no cause for concern and no illness. He’s retired from public life and will be spending the day privately with his family."
The Duke of Edinburgh, 97, is not at church today. BP tell me there is no cause for concern and no illness. He’s retired from public life and will be spending the day privately with his family.December 25, 2018
Fans began speculating about the Duke's Sandringham attendance when he didn't arrive with the Queen by train (opens in new tab) last Thursday as he has done in previous years. He retired early last year (opens in new tab) and in April he also had extensive hip surgery, which forced him to cancel several appearances including Easter service with the royal family and Prince Louis' christening. He did, however, attend his granddaughter Princess Eugenie's wedding (opens in new tab) in October.
For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
SUBSCRIBE HERE (opens in new tab)
RELATED STORY

Rachel Epstein is an editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also manages the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game, finding a new coffee shop, or analyzing your cousin's birth chart—in no particular order.
-
Power Pick: Sonos Two Room Set With One
Big sound, small package.
By Brittany Holloway-Brown
-
Night Creams That Work Magic
Why, yes, I did wake up like this!
By Deena Campbell
-
Renée Zellweger Shares Why She “Loved” Turning 50: “You Must Embrace Your Age”
The actress also revealed her thoughts on “garbage” anti-aging products.
By Samantha Holender
-
Kate Middleton Becoming Princess of Wales Would Be a "Bittersweet Moment" for Prince William, Source Says
It's likely she will inherit Princess Diana's title.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William and Kate May to Move to Windsor for the Queen’s Health
Having her great-grandkids there will be “invigorating," says a royal expert.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
The 15 Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2021
From Kendall Jenner to Saweetie, celebrities got create with the Halloween costumes in 2021 as in-person parties returned.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
Prince William Called Out Billionaires' "Space Race" Amid Climate Crisis
They need to check their priorities.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Louis’s Surprising First Words Were Baking Themed
Kate Middleton has a lot of cookbooks at home, apparently!
By Marie Claire Editors
-
Harry and Meghan Are Trying to Schedule a Meeting with the Queen
They want to introduce her to their daughter, Lilibet, born earlier this year.
By Marie Claire Editors
-
Naomi Osaka's Parents, Leonard Francois and Tamaki Osaka, Are Her Biggest Fans
They've helped shape Osaka's tennis career, as well as her life off the court.
By Katherine J Igoe
-
Princess Beatrice Is Expecting Her First Child With Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
On May 19, the Royal Family announced that Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their first child together. Find out more here.
By Rachel Epstein