A public display of family support for Prince Andrew? No, it was too soon
When it came to the 11am church service, as the royals walk in front of crowds, Prince Andrew wasn't there.
Wednesday 25 December 2019 18:17, UK
It's always an annual guessing game as to who will turn up to church with the Queen on Christmas morning.
But the fact the royals have had a difficult year meant added speculation this year.
We were all looking out to see if Prince Andrew would make his first public appearance since stepping back from public duties following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Just before 9am our cameraman filmed the Duke of York walking to church with the Prince of Wales.
"Could this be a public display of family support?" I thought.
But when it came to the 11am church service, which is much more open, as the royals walk in front of the crowds, Prince Andrew wasn't there and had stayed at home.
I understand he had personally made the decision not to go and instead spend time with the Duke of Edinburgh.
But it can also be seen as an acknowledgement that it is still too soon for him to make a major public appearance. A sign his attendance would have been too much of a distraction on a happy morning, and that it is a controversy that still threatens to overshadow the image of the royals.
There was already a nicer distraction for the hundreds of well wishers, as two new members of the congregation appeared.
Six-year-old Prince George and four-year-old Princess Charlotte walked to church for the first time with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
A rite of passage for any young royal, with both of them on best behaviour.
Karen Anvil, who was in the crowd and gave Charlotte a doll, told me "her manners were outstanding but she is cheeky".
Prince William and Kate are understandably protective of their children's privacy but softly-softly they are introducing their little ones to the aspects of royal life that will be expected of them as they grow up.
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And when you're a Windsor those expectations are high. After 12 months when the royal firm has at times seemed in disarray, it is important that senior members of the family show a united front.
In her Christmas message the Queen talked of bumpy times this year, but the pictures of the monarch, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George making Christmas puddings together are meant to be a display of unity; the top tier of the family committed to working together.
It was clear in Sandringham that the Queen still has the respect and affection of the crowds.
At 93 she needs a strong and reliable supporting cast.