http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/19991225/ts/christmas_britain_1.html

Saturday December 25 9:46 AM ET

Britain's Queen Mother Star of Royals' Christmas

               By Dylan Martinez

               SANDRINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Britain's 99-year-old Queen Mother delighted crowds of well-wishers and press photographers when she led the royal family at their traditional Christmas Day church service.

               Dressed in a blue coat and using a walking stick, the Queen Mother was all smiles as children rushed up to present her with flowers.

               Queen Elizabeth offered a supporting arm to her mother as they walked into St Mary Magdalen Church in the grounds of the royal estate at Sandringham in eastern England.

Seventeen members of the royal family attended the service -- an annual public outing in the glare of the cameras.

Notable absentees were the queen's sister Princess Margaret, still recovering from badly scalded feet, and Prince William, elder son of heir to the throne Prince
Charles and the late Princess Diana.

Royal aides said William, 17, well-known for his camera shyness, was unwell but declined to give details.

Queen Elizabeth and other senior members of the royal family traditionally spend the Christmas holidays at Sandringham.

They usually open their presents on Christmas Eve.

The Duchess of York, or Fergie as she is popularly known from maiden name, was also on the Sandringham estate but did not attend the royal family's main
festivities.

Since her separation from the queen's second son Prince Andrew in 1992 and their subsequent divorce, Fergie has usually taken their two daughters -- Princess
Beatrice, 11, and Princess Eugenie, nine -- to Sandringham for Christmas.

But she stays in a separate house on the estate while Prince Andrew and the two princesses join the rest of the royal family for Christmas meals and present-giving.

Queen Elizabeth usually visits her former daughter-in-law for tea.

Prince Charles's long-time love Camilla Parker Bowles did not attend the royal gathering despite the couple's increasing public appearances together this year.

British newspapers have reported that the queen remains opposed to the relationship because of her position as head of the Church of England.