If Sandringham cancels her plans for the Christmas season, it is possible that she will be without many of her most loved and closest relatives.
After her ‘regretful’ decision to scrap next week’s traditional pre-Christmas dinner for up to 50 family members due to soaring Covid cases, sources told the Daily Mail yesterday that ‘all plans were under consideration’ – including her annual trip to Norfolk.
It means that the 95-year-old – spending her first Yuletide without her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip – could spend a second festive season at Windsor Castle.
But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children still intend to travel to their Norfolk home for the holidays, and their plans are unlikely to change – meaning the Queen may not be able to join them as planned.
As royal aides monitor government advice closely, a final decision will be taken early next week.
The Queen is still keen to go to her beloved 20,000-acre estate at Sandringham, where she normally stays until early February – particularly as she spent last year at Windsor alone apart from her late husband and a handful of staff, due to lockdown.
But a second royal source said last night they felt her Norfolk sojourn was ‘increasingly in the balance’ given the fluctuating situation. ‘Her Majesty always leads by example, regardless of her personal preferences,’ they said.
The Queen can still be a part of society as long as it is not restricted by the government.
On Christmas Eve, the Prince of Wales will be joined by the Duchess and Duchess Cornwall along with Princess Anne, the Earl and Countess Of Wessex.
The Duchess was also dressed up for Christmas and gave us a peek at her carol concert.
Yesterday’s trailer showed Kate wearing a Miu Miu red cardigan while attending rehearsals at Westminster Abbey earlier in the month. The £1,350 cashmere top has a pattern of black and white roses, with pearl buttons and detachable Peter Pan collar.
The duchess will host the service. This special program, Royal Carols Together At Christmas, was created with BBC Studios Events Productions.
William and Kate dropped the BBC as broadcaster in the wake of its series The Princes and the Press, which they criticised for giving credibility to ‘overblown and unfounded claims’ about the Royal Family.