The Queen will be absent from Christmas celebrations this year due to the absence of Prince William and Kate Middleton, according to reports. 

Instead, the Duke and Duchess will spend the holiday season in Norfolk with some Middleton relatives. 

The couple will also have their children George, age 8, Charlotte, 6 and Louis, 3 years.     

This comes just as the Queen faces her first Christmas without Prince Philip since April, when he died. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will also be staying stateside during the holiday season, so the Queen won’t yet get to meet Lilibet. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be spending the festive season in Norfolk, where they will be joined by some members of the Middleton family (pictured in March 2020 with Camila, Prince Charles and the Queen)

The Duke and Duchess will spend Christmas in Norfolk with some Middleton relatives (pictured March 2020 together with Camila, Prince Charles, and the Queen).

However she will be joined on Christmas Day by Prince Charles and Camilla at Windsor Castle, in a boost for the monarch after Princess Anne had to drop out.

It is likely that they will be joined by Prince Andrew, his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess, and their daughters Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie.

Anne won’t be attending, but the Earl and Countess are expected to attend with their children James, Viscount Severn and Lady Louise.

Clarence House has confirmed that this Saturday’s 95-year-old monarch will be joined by the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess Cornwall.

Charles and Camilla were unsure of their plans until today. Last Christmas, they spent time at Highgrove Country Estate in Gloucestershire. 

Today, however, Clarence House confirmed that the Prince of Wales (and The Duchess) of Cornwall would be at Her Majesty’s Christmas Day celebrations. 

This comes just after Queen Elizabeth received a celebratory blow yesterday from Sir Timothy Laurence, her son-in law. He contracted Covid and he could not join Anne. 

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall stand next to the stunning Christmas tree at Clarence House for a photograph posted on their official Instagram account last Friday

Prince Charles, the Duchess and duchess of Cornwall pose next to Clarence House’s Christmas tree in this photograph that was posted by their official Instagram account.

The Queen with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwll in Braemar in September 2019

In September 2019, the Queen and Prince Charles accompanied by the Duchess Of Cornwll at Braemar

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence, pictured at Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor in 2018. Both will not be with the Queen on Christmas Day after Sir Timothy contracted Covid

Pictured with Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence at Harry’s and Meghan’s Windsor wedding in 2018. They will not both be present with the Queen Christmas Day as Sir Timothy contracted Covid.

A rising number of coronavirus cases had caused the Queen to cancel her Christmas dinner at Windsor this week for her extended families.

It was discovered that on Monday she also abandoned plans to travel to Sandringham, her Norfolk country estate for Christmas.

Is anyone expected to go with the Queen on Christmas Day for lunch? 

  • Prince Charles
  • Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall
  • Prince Andrew, Duke and Duchess of York
  • Sarah, Duchess
  • Princess Beatrice
  • Princess Eugenie
  • Prince Edward Earl of Wessex
  • Sophie, Countess Of Wessex
  • James, Viscount Severn
  • Lady Louise Windsor

According to sources, the Queen believed it was too difficult for her family members and staff to safely move between their residences. This is despite the Government’s pleas for caution. 

One person said, “Her Majesty always leads with example.”

Instead, she will spend Christmas alone at Windsor as it is her first Christmas away from Philip.

Multiple family members are expected be there with Charles, Camilla, and Prince Andrew. This includes the Earl and Countesss of Wessex as well their children.

However, she also hoped that Anne, the daughter she shares a close relationship, would be available to go with her.

Anne, instead, will spend time at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire with her husband.

A high ranking royal source has confirmed that Sir Tim, the Admiral of England, tested positive for Covid last night and is complying with all applicable rules. Christmas Day at Windsor won’t be possible.

According to reports, Sir Tim was positive for HIV early in the week. This means that he and Princess could fly to the Queen under the seven-day rule.

2019 -- The Queen leaves St Mary Magdalene's Church after a service on December 25, 2019

2019 — 2019 — Queen Mary Magdalene leaves St Mary Magdalene’s Church following a December 25th service

2018 -- The Queen arrives at St Mary Magdalene's Church in Norfolk on Christmas Day in 2018

2018 — On Christmas Day 2018, the Queen visits St Mary Magdalene’s Church of Norfolk.

2017 -- The Queen leaves St Mary Magdalene's Church after the Christmas Day service in 2017

2017. 2017 — After the Christmas Day celebration in 2017, 2017 saw Queen Elizabeth leave St Mary Magdalene’s Church.

She hosts between 20-30 family members in her Norfolk home. There are often large crowds of supporters who turn out to cheer the royals as they walk towards the Christmas Day service at St. Mary’s Church on the Estate.

The exact location of the Duke and Duchess will not be known until Christmas. William and Kate originally planned to celebrate Christmas at Anmer Hall on Sandringham’s Sandringham estate.

They could alter their plans to spend more quality time with the monarch of Berkshire as Kate’s parents reside nearby.

According to sources, the Mail has been informed by Mail that Queen Elizabeth II, who usually stays in Norfolk from January through February, may still travel to the UK in January.