Queen Elizabeth II misses church due to ‘heavy cold’
LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II missed a traditional New Year’s Day church service Sunday because of the effects of a lingering cold.
Buckingham Palace said the queen “does not yet feel ready to attend church as she is still recuperating from a heavy cold.” There was no indication she is suffering from a more serious illness.
It was unusual for Elizabeth not to attend the service, long part of her New Year’s Day routine. The inclement weather may have been a contributing factor in her decision to stay indoors. It was cold with a steady rain in the Norfolk area 110 miles (175 kilometres) north of London where the queen maintains a private estate called Sandringham.
Elizabeth also missed the Christmas church service last week for the first time in decades. She is recuperating out of the public eye in one of her favourite homes.