Dozens of royals rallied around the Princess of Wales at her carol service in Westminster Abbey this week – but Princess Eugenie, the King and the Queen were among those who did not attend

Princess Eugine didn’t join dozens of fellow Royals who rallied around the Princess of Wales at her Christmas carol service in central London this week.

The ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service, held at Westminster Abbey, marked Princess Kate’s first solo event of the year after she underwent a major abdominal surgery in January and announced she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Kate announced she would be gradually returning to royal duties after her preventative chemotherapy treatment ended in September. After a rough year, the theme of this year’s carol service was announced as a celebration of those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.

The ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service marked Kate’s first solo event of the year ( 
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AFP via Getty Images)
Kate was joined by her husband Prince William and their three children – Louis, six, Charlotte, nine, and 11-year-old Prince George. Other Royal attendees included the Duchess of Edinburgh, Lord Frederick Windsor, Zara Tindall and a pregnant Princess Beatrice.

But her sister Princess Eugenie did not attend, along with the King and Queen. While the reasons for Eugenie’s absence are unknown, it is likely due to her decision to split her time between the UK and Portugal with her husband and two sons, August and Ernest. Her husband, Jack Brooksbank, is believed to working in Portugal with Michael Meldman’s Discovery Land Company.

Princess Eugenie of York did not attend Kate’s event ( 
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AFP via Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie and her family in Portugal ( 
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Instagram)
A royal source told the Express: “The villa in Portugal is more an investment than anything else and construction hasn’t even been completed yet”, adding: “It hasn’t been purchased as a new home, but more as a holiday retreat and something they can put their money into to protect their assets.”

The public were given a rare insight into Eugenie’s life in Portugal earlier this year after the 34-year-old royal revealed that her sons, three-year-old August, and one-year-old Ernest “love swimming”, despite her being “scared” of the ocean growing up.

Kate’s carol service, held on Friday evening, saw the her stop for a chat with guests giving the readings, including actors Richard E Grant, Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, Sophie Okonedo, nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film Hotel Rwanda, and Olympic swimming champion Adam Peaty.

Guests also had the opportunity to leave a message on a “kindness tree”, where six-year-old Prince Louis added a note to thank his ‘Granny and Grandpa’. The young royal wrote: “Thank you to my granny and grandpa because they have played games with me.”

The event included traditional carols, music, readings and prayers, all hihglighting the importance of compassion and kindness.