The Queen had a last minute change to her itinerary on Sunday after healthy and safety fears at St Mary the Virgin church in Hillington on the Sandringham estate.
Wardens at the church decided to cancel the Queen’s four-yearly visit after a lump of plaster fell from the ceiling.
One of the church’s wardens, 64-year-old Edward Dawnay, said: “We had a bit of plaster fall on the pulpit on New Year's Eve. It was not really a big deal. It was really just a dustpan and brush job to clear up.”
However, the church closed its doors to the public because of the risk of more plaster falling and hurting someone.
The Queen and Prince Philip, who normally worship at St Mary Magdalene church on Sundays, were due to attend the 11am service at St Mary the Virgin church as part of an annual tradition that gives the honour of a Royal visit to one of four other churches in the area on the third Sunday of January.
Mr Dawnay added that scaffolding will be erected inside the church this week to allow a repair to be made. The church’s ceiling will also be inspected by surveyors to ensure its integrity before the church is reopened.
