The Queen attends double christening at Windsor chapel after battling back sprain as royals arrive for special occasion

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THE Queen celebrated the double christening of her two great-grandsons in Windsor this afternoon.  

There were fears Her Majesty would not be able to attend after she was forced to miss Remembrance Sunday commemorations last week because of a sprained back. 

The Queen attended the christening of August Brooksbank and Lucas Tindall today
The monarch has been suffering from a back sprain – but is understood to have told courtiers she was determined to attend

Princess Eugenie, pictured with husband Jack, and Zara and Mike Tindall held a joint service for their sons at Windsor

However, it’s understood the monarch was determined to attend the ceremony for Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall’s sons.

There was initial confusion as guests began to arrive at the chapel this afternoon, with reports suggesting she may miss the event as she recovers.

However, in a sighting that will doubtless reassure Brits across the country, she was seen being driven away from All Saints Chapel in Great Windsor Park, Berkshire in a dark green Range Rover.

Courtiers were told the Queen was intent on witnessing the service for Lucas Phillip Tindall and August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.

She decided she would be there in person after taking advice from her personal doctor.

Her Majesty, who has only recently resumed public engagements, wore lime green for the occasion.

Eugenie looked glamorous in a white silk dress, which she paired with a statement headband and blue pendant necklace.

And Zara, 40, opted for a black ensemble and pearl earrings as she drove herself to the venue.

Eugenie smiled brightly as she and her husband arrived this afternoon

The mum wore a pretty dress and headband for the double service

Meanwhile, Zara – who gave birth to little Lucas on the bathroom floor back in March – drove herself to the event

Husband Mike was seen beaming as he arrived in a separate vehicle dressed in a smart blazer.

The Queen first cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland in late October before spending a night at London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital for ‘preliminary’ tests.

Her doctors then urged her to take time to rest.

She pulled out of a planned appearance at the COP26 eco-summit in Glasgow, but instead recorded a video message for delegates.

Millions were worried when she missed both the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 13, and then the service at the Cenotaph the following day.

The Queen has only missed the Remembrance service six times during the course of her reign – all when she was abroad on official visits or pregnant with her children.

However, she was recently seen standing and chatting with General Sir Nick Carter, the Chief of the Defence Staff, at Windsor Castle.

And son Charles revealed earlier this week that Her Majesty is “all right” – but told reporters: “Once you get to 95, it’s not quite as easy as it used to be”.

Despite stepping away from some engagements under doctors’ orders, royal expert Penny Junor said today’s ceremony would have been very important to her.

George and Nicola Brooksbank, Eugenie’s in-laws, were also spotted

Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas attended with her husband. She is an old friend of Eugenie’s
But all eyes will be on Her Majesty, who wore lime green for the special occasion

She said: “I’ve never heard of two royal babies being christened together like this.

“The Queen is very spiritual, a christening is a very important occasion for the head of the Church of England and being there will be of great importance to her.

“She’s very fond of Zara and Mike, and Eugenie too.”

Among the guests today was Prince Harry’s ex girlfriend Cressida Bonas, who wore gold hoop earrings and a gold headband.

She was joined by her husband, Harry Wentworth-Stanley.

Cressida was reportedly introduced to the Duke of Sussex by old friend Eugenie.

August’s paternal grandparents George and Nicola Brooksbank were also spotted driving up to the historic chapel.

August, who is 13th in line to the throne, was born in February at London’s Portland Hospital.

His christening was initially due to take place in July at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park.

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However, celebrations were apparently scrapped after a fellow attendee allegedly either tested positive for corornavirus or was pinged by the NHS Covid-19 app minutes before.

Meanwhile, little Lucas arrived in quite a hurry back in March.

Dad Mike revealed on his podcast that the tot was born on the bathroom floor.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, he said: “Sunday got even better because a little baby boy arrived at my house! Yeah brilliant, six o’clock last night,

“We haven’t got a name yet, we’re still working on it, we always struggle with that, we’ve never picked one before they arrived. 

“8lb 4oz, very bonny. Arrived very quickly, didn’t make it to hospital, on the bathroom floor!”

Both little boys were reportedly christened with fresh holy water from Prince Charles’s trip to Jordan this week.

The Prince of Wales is believed to have brought back around a dozen bottles from the River Jordan, where Jesus was baptised, to use for future new arrivals.

The ceremony was led by Canon Martin Poll, who is chaplain to Great Windsor Park.

It took place at the private Grade-II listed church which forms part of the Royal Lodge house — the Queen Mother’s former home currently occupied by Prince Andrew and ex-wife Fergie.