The Queen has no plans to cancel her Christmas celebrations for the moment, as COVID cases (including Omicron) surge in the U.K. She and Prince Philip spent their last Christmas together quietly at Windsor Castle as restrictions took hold in the country, and the monarch is hoping to spend her first Christmas without her husband with her family this year.
First comes Christmas lunch on Dec. 21, which is traditionally held at Buckingham Palace, but has been moved to Windsor Castle this year as the Queen has been advised to take it a bit easier following health concerns. The monarch will be expecting some 50 guests for this event.
"It is Windsor Castle so it will be pretty easy to socially distance if needed," a source tells The Sun. "There is no way the Queen wants to let anything get in the way of a family event like this.
"Particularly with the year she has had after losing her husband and being forced to go on light duties on doctor’s orders.
"It will likely be the first time so many family members have been together since Philip’s funeral.
"But obviously everyone must act responsibly and things can change in a short period of time but as it stands they’re all set for Tuesday."
Then come the annual celebrations at Sandringham, which are a major event for the royal family. "Currently it is going ahead but obviously it will be under review right up until the last moment," a source tells The Sun.
A source told the Mirror in November that the Queen was "totally committed" to hosting her beloved Sandringham Christmas, and it sounds like things haven't changed for the time being. Kate Middleton and Prince William will obviously be in attendance, but Meghan Markle and Prince Harry won't be joining as far as we know. With COVID numbers going up, it's likely that travel would have been complicated for them anyway, to say the least.
-
Jennifer Lopez and Her Floor-Length Sleeves Single-Handedly Revive the Boho TrendThe star looked like a child of the '70s in a Chloé onesie.
-
Sabrina Carpenter's Micro Shorts Are a Slice of Fashion HistoryShe was brave to trot it out at the height of winter.
-
Tom Parker Bowles Says Stepfather King Charles Could be "Fantastic" at Another Job if He Wasn't MonarchJust imagine.
-
Yes, Queen Elizabeth Conducted Charles and Anne's Bath Time Wearing Her Coronation CrownLiteral Queen behavior, tbh.
-
Kate Middleton Stole This Fashion Hack from Queen Elizabeth IIThis is the fourth year in the row Kate has channeled the Queen's fashion sense to host the "Together at Christmas" carol service.
-
Prince Philip Received a Heartbreaking Letter From His Mother Just Before She DiedPrincess Alice spent the final two years of her life at Buckingham Palace.
-
Princess Charlotte Inherited a Secret "Ability" From Her Great-Grandmother Queen Elizabeth"Queen Elizabeth used to have her family in stitches."
-
How Meghan Markle's Queen Elizabeth-Themed Gift For Prince Harry Got "Smashed" on Christmas Eve"Pieces lay all over the floor."
-
This Royal Just Shared the Sweetest Detail about Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's Christmas Tradition"Of course" they joined in, the royal said.
-
Royal Photographer Reveals the Touching Sacrifice Prince Philip Made for Queen Elizabeth in His 90sThe couple would have celebrated their 77th anniversary on Nov. 20.
-
Princess Kate Is Unlikely to Wear a Tiara This Year, Despite Returning to Royal DutiesIt could be quite some time before the Princess of Wales raids the Royal Family's tiara collection again.
