Peter Phillips attended the Christmas outing without his girlfriend Harriet Sperling. This is why
There were some notable faces missing from the British royal family's Christmas festivities this year.
As expected, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet didn't make an appearance at Sandringham. Nor did the Duke and Duchess of York.
But there was another notable face missing from the celebration this year.
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Peter Phillips joined his sister for the Christmas service, along with his two daughters Isla (pictured second from right) and Savannah. Samir Hussein/WireImage
Peter Phillips, who is Princess Anne's son, made an appearance on the walk to church with his family on Christmas Day.
Peter, 47, was accompanied by his daughters, Savannah, who turns 14 on December 29, and Isla, 12.
The sisters leaned into some festive dressing with Savannah wearing a plum-coloured coat while Isla opteed for Khaki green.
Their dad wore a similar green coat over a blue tie.
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Savannah opted for a plum-coloured coat. UK Press via Getty Images
Isla was in 'doting older cousin' mode, seen walking with Lena Tindall. UK Press via Getty Images
The trio appeared to enjoy their time on the annual walk with their family members. They accompanied Peter's sister Zara Tindall and her daughters Lena and Mia. And of course they joined the Wales family and King Charles III and Queen Camilla along with other members of the royal family.
But one person close to the Phillips family was not there – Peter's girlfriend Harriet Sperling.
Harriet, who is a Paediatric Nurse Specialist for the NHS, is believed to be working through the Christmas period, HELLO! reports.
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Phillips' girlfriend Harriet Sperling was unable to attend the Christmas walk. Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty
The time she does have off has been spent with her family and with Peter and his daughters in private, it's understood.
Harriet's relationship with Peter was confirmed in May this year after they pair attended the Badminton Horse Trials together.
The couple has made a number of high profile appearances together throughout the year, including the Gloucestershire Festival of Polo, Royal Ascot, Prince William's charity polo match and Wimbledon.
Harriet has a daughter of her own who she welcomed with her ex-partner.
Peter shares his two children with his ex-wife Autumn Kelly.
The pair married in 2008. Two year later, they welcomed their daughter Savannah in December 2010. Their second daughter Isla followed in March 2012.
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Phillips and Autumn Kelly announced their split in 2019. Samir Hussein/WireImage
After 12 years married, Peter and Autumn announced their separation in February 2020. Their divorce was finalised mid 2021.
Now separated, the pair are coparenting their teenage daughters.
Autumn has since found love in her new partner Donal Mulryan.
Peter's girlfriend wasn't the only person missing from the British royal family's Christmas Day walk.
Princess Beatrice cut somewhat of a lonely figure as the only member of the York family to attend the annual Christmas festivities.
The royal, who is expecting her second child, was joined by husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Wolf, nicknamed Woolfie, eight.
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Princess Beatrice was joined by Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Christopher Woolf for the royals' walk to church in Sandringham on Christmas morning. UK Press via Getty Images
They also share their first daughter together, Sienna, aged three, who was unable to join the family on the walk.
While her sister, Princess Eugenie, was off celebrating Christmas with her husband Jack Brooksbank's family for the first time, her father had a more serious reason for not attending.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, was barred from the festivities this year after his involvement in a Chinese "spy" scandal, where his associate Yang Tengbo was named as the alleged Chinese spy who has been banned from Britain, according to multiple media outlets in the UK.
As a result, her mother Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was also left off the invite list, just one year after her triumphant return to the family Christmas festivities in 2023.
It was set to be a York-less Christmas for the royals this year, but that changed last minute when Beatrice, who was set to fly overseas to spend Chritmas with her husband's family, was advised by doctors not to travel.
In light of scrutiny around the Duke of York's association with the alleged Chinese spy it's understood the Duchess of York convinced Prince Andrew to skip the event.
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