The Royal Family is to rally round the Queen (pictured at the traditional Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in 2019) this week as those closest to the Monarch have vowed that she won’t be alone for her first Christmas without the Duke of Edinburgh
The Royal Family is to rally round the Queen this week as those closest to the Monarch have vowed that she won’t be alone for her first Christmas without the Duke of Edinburgh.
Although it remains unclear what form the Royal festivities will take, or where, a source said there was ‘a strong desire’ from the Queen to gather her family together at Sandringham if possible.
A Palace insider said: ‘It would be such a bitter blow to the Queen not to have Christmas at Sandringham so there’s an operation underway to try to make sure it’s a special time of year. Sandringham is such a special place to Her Majesty.’
This, however, is not a normal year and a source confirmed that the Queen’s Christmas plans are under review. ‘There is a strong desire for it to be as normal as it can be but obviously this is subject to practical concerns,’ a palace source said.
According to The Mail on Sunday, it’s unlikely that the Monarch, 95, will be joining the congregation of 200 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham, for the Christmas Day service. She is instead expected to attend an intimate service, similar to the one last year where a Royal Chaplain gave a sermon with readings.
There are other plans. If Omicron is considered to be too dangerous for Queen Elizabeth, she has just suffered from a severe bout of illness. A scaled down celebration can be planned at Windsor Castle.
Unlike last year, however, when the Queen was in lockdown with Prince Philip and HMS Bubble – the name given to their loyal team of staff – she would receive visits from members of the family.
A source said: ‘It will all depend on what the guidance is and what the Queen wants to do.’
While the Queen has been forced to pull out of several engagements over the past two months – including a visit to Northern Ireland – she has been well enough to carry out her duties as head of state.
The Palace confirmed last week that she took part in video chats and was seen walking alone in London, fulfilling a commitment she made to her diary after returning from Windsor.
Although it remains unclear what form the Royal festivities will take, or where, a source said there was ‘a strong desire’ from the Queen to gather her family together at Sandringham if possible
But changes to Palace schedules, which are often made months before, should not be taken lightly. And behind the scenes everything is being done to help the Queen save the family’s Sandringham Christmas.
‘Sandringham is special not only because of all the fond memories of Prince Philip and the hard work he did to transform the estate,’ said the insider, ‘But also because it’s the very place where her father passed away.
‘It’s the reason why, normally, she will never leave Sandringham after the Christmas break until she has marked his anniversary on February 6.’
It will be a particularly poignant date, for next year marks the 70th anniversary of the death of her father, King George VI – and the point at which the Queen will have been on the throne for seven decades. The Platinum Jubilee celebrations will be yet another milestone for the Queen who in 2015 surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria to become the longest-reigning British Monarch.
A source said: ‘There is no better place to mark it than at Sandringham. Although it may seem desolate and windswept, the place holds many special memories and is very dear to her. In some ways, I expect it will be a way of keeping Philip close.’
Other reasons her family might make an extra effort include:
Apart from all the frustrations caused by the new Covid version, this Christmas will be tense because ofstrained family relationships.
Prince Andrew will defend himself against allegations of sexual abuse. The case is being heard by a US court in the first week in January. These allegations will have a negative impact on all members of the Royal family.
Changes to the Palace schedule, often schemed out months in advance, are never undertaken lightly, however. And behind the scenes everything is being done to help the Queen save the family’s Sandringham Christmas
The Duke and Duchess are believed to have been invited by the other members of the family to be present.
They are unlikely to attend after a year when Prince Harry and Meghan were believed to have launched a string of grenades against the family via primetime TV.
Furthermore, Harry’s tell-all biography is due to be published next year which, if his previous interventions are anything to go by, could make uncomfortable reading for his relatives.
Prince of Wales has had to face difficult questions regarding the management of his charity foundation. He recently lost Michael Fawcett who was made to resign after claims that honours were being offered to foreign wealthy donors.
With this thought in mind, perhaps the Prince of Wales is now fully committed to his duties.
Charles, according to the MoS has visited Sandringham several times in private to help continue his work with his father.
His last month of supervision was to oversee the extension of existing work on Sandringham’s farm.
Charles was granted permission by the Duke of Edinburgh three years back to go organic. His plans for expansion will continue to grow the farm.
Charles has given up the lease of the Organic Farm at Highgrove in Gloucestershire and has now turned his attention toward Sandringham, which many believe is an indication of his preparations to become King. With the help of Edward Parsons, Sandringham’s Land Agent, Charles has spent three years overhauling the area by planting hedgerows and establishing an organic flock of 3,000 sheep and a 500-strong cattle herd.
While the animals seem to be thriving, Charles faces a far bigger challenge this Christmas – organising the people.
Charles was also involved in the organization of Sandringham’s family Christmas. This is a place that has lost many staff members recently.
Charles, who was previously Prince Philip’s lead for the Boxing Day shoot is now expected to take over.
A source close to the family said: ‘Everyone will be asked to take a [Covid]Before you test. Unless there are new restrictions brought into effect or it is deemed too unsafe for the Queen, Christmas won’t be cancelled if it can be helped.’
There have also been many happy family additions this year.
The Queen will hope to spend time with her latest great-grandchildren – Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s two-month-old daughter Sienna, Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s ten-month-old son August and Zara and Mike Tindall’s third child, nine-month-old Lucas.
William and Kate will be staying at Anmer Hall in their hometown of Anmer Hall. It is just a few minutes away.
One insider said it ‘was quite possible’ that Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, will come up to stay and may be granted an audience with the Queen. Recently, William spoke about his fond memories from a Royal Christmas at Sandringham as well as the trip to St Mary Magdalene Chapel with Prince Philip. ‘
He used to walk so fast that there’d be huge gaps and spaces between all of us walking down, and there’d be us at the back with little legs trying to keep up,’ said William. ‘You start to feel quite attached to those moments and those memories.’
Such memories are more important for Queen Elizabeth II and the people closest to her. As one source close to the family put it: ‘I hope it can all be worked out. Like any family, none of us knows how many Christmases we have left.’
Charles, pictured on November 28 with Camilla), has been visiting Sandringham privately to carry out the legacy of his father. He oversaw last month the expansion of the work on Sandringham’s farm.