Why Princess Anne was missing from the royal Christmas Day walkabout in Sandringham

The royals took part in their first Christmas Day walkabout since 2019 this year, but you may have noticed that Princess Anne was missing from the event.

• The Princess Royal didn't join her daughter and son-in-law, Zara and Mike Tindall, their children and her son Peter for the church service in Sandringham.
• Prince Louis marked his first Christmas Day Walkabout and fans loved his cheekiness as he stole the show.
• In other royal news, Kate Middleton has admitted she struggles with one part of getting Princess Charlotte ready.

Princess Anne is understood to have had a cold, making her unable to attend the Christmas Day walkabout. 

Princess Anne also missed out on Princess Kate's carol concert earlier this month, where she paid tribute to the Queen, though this was not related to illness.

A scheduling conflict meant that Anne couldn't join her family members at the service. Instead, the Princess Royal attended the London International Horse Show at ExCel London.

It's hardly surprising that Princess Anne, who lives at Gatcombe Park, had a scheduling issue as for the second year running, she has been named the most hardworking royal.

While she is one of the oldest members of the Royal Family at 72, the Princess Royal is showing no signs of slowing down and attended a whopping 214 yearly royal engagements in 2022. July was her busiest month, with the Princess carrying out an amazing 24 engagements.

And aside from her hectic schedule, Princess Anne was even at her mother the Queen's side when she passed away.

King Charles III came in second place with 181 engagements, most of which have been newly appointed since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex came in third with 143 events, while his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex placed fourth with138 events.

The Prince of Wales came in fifth, taking part in 126, and the Princess of Wales was slightly further down the list in ninth place, having taken part in 90 royal engagements.

Princess Anne recently celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary to her second husband Timothy Laurence. And a jewellery expert has revealed why Princess Anne's second engagement ring is almost identical to her first.

She received a sapphire ring from her first husband Mark Phillips whom she went on to marry and have two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. But they divorced in 1992 after 19 years of marriage.

The Princess Royal remarried, with husband Timothy Laurence, on 12th December 1992 and Timothy also presented Princess Anne with a sapphire ring when they got engaged. 

And Jewellery expert Maxwell Stone, of UK retailer Steven Stone, has revealed what this shows about Princess Anne as a person. He said, “It’s interesting that Princess Anne received sapphire engagement rings rather than traditional diamond rings. Blue sapphires are often linked to people who are respectful, loyal, hardworking, and honest, which only makes these rings even more special, and suggests that this could have meant something to Princess Anne."

He continued, "Princess Diana also famously had a blue sapphire ring, which is now in the hands of Kate Middleton, whilst Queen Elizabeth II was frequently seen sporting the gemstone on her famous brooches."