British royal family is celebrating this Christmas without its heir Prince William. The prince is not going to exchange gifts with Queen Elizabeth II and other relatives at Sandringham Estate as he is serving in Royal Air Force in Wales.

Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton are expected to marry in April; however they are not meeting on their last Christmas before marriage.

The media representative of Buckingham Palace stated however that prince is not on any assignment in military and might join the royal family on Christmas.

Queen and her family celebrate their Christmas privately excluding the rituals in church. After church service they go for a festive meal and then the Queen addresses people of the Commonwealth on Christmas.