Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/GettyQueen Elizabeth, like so many around the world, is facing a difficult holiday decision.WithCOVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.K., the 95-year-old monarch may change her plans to head to Sandringham for her traditional Christmas and New Year break.The Queen usually stays at her estate in Norfolk from late December to just after February 6, the date she became queen at the death of her father George VI nearly 70 years ago.But with the coronavirus variant, Omicron, causing a surge in cases, she is deciding whether to make the trip north from Windsor Castle. Even if she does head to Sandringham, the practice of allowing public in to watch the family walk to church on Christmas morning will be curtailed.Queen Elizabeth and the royal family on Christmas Day in 2017.Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesIt is an especially poignant festive period for the Queen, who will mark her first holiday without her beloved husbandPrince Philip, who died in April, for the first time in more than seven decades.For more onQueen Elizabeth, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.If she stays in Windsor, where she has been largely based throughout the pandemic, it is understood that the royals will make sure they see the Queen on the day so she won’t be without close family members.The decision to travel will ultimately be hers, but she is taking advice from her private secretaries, who are in touch with the U.K. government about the ongoing rise in cases and any restrictions that might be announced. Throughout the pandemic, she has been mindful of setting the right example within the existing guidelines.Queen Elizabeth with the Sultan of Oman.JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesBuckingham Palace declined to comment, but an announcement is expected in the next couple of days.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!In recent months since she canceled a visit to Northern Ireland andspent a night in the hospitalin October, the Queen has been carrying out light duties including audiences and video meetings.Normally, members of the royal family join her at Sandringham, with guests typically arriving in the early afternoon on Christmas Eve.The family opens their presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, and on Christmas, the family famously walks to church services at St. Mary’s Magdalene Church on the estate. After their church outing, the royal family heads back to Sandringham House for a lunch of Norfolk turkey and other festivities.Last week, the Queencanceled her pre-Christmaslunch for the extended family that had been planned to take place this Tuesday at Windsor Castle.
Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty
Queen Elizabeth, like so many around the world, is facing a difficult holiday decision.WithCOVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.K., the 95-year-old monarch may change her plans to head to Sandringham for her traditional Christmas and New Year break.The Queen usually stays at her estate in Norfolk from late December to just after February 6, the date she became queen at the death of her father George VI nearly 70 years ago.But with the coronavirus variant, Omicron, causing a surge in cases, she is deciding whether to make the trip north from Windsor Castle. Even if she does head to Sandringham, the practice of allowing public in to watch the family walk to church on Christmas morning will be curtailed.Queen Elizabeth and the royal family on Christmas Day in 2017.Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesIt is an especially poignant festive period for the Queen, who will mark her first holiday without her beloved husbandPrince Philip, who died in April, for the first time in more than seven decades.For more onQueen Elizabeth, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.If she stays in Windsor, where she has been largely based throughout the pandemic, it is understood that the royals will make sure they see the Queen on the day so she won’t be without close family members.The decision to travel will ultimately be hers, but she is taking advice from her private secretaries, who are in touch with the U.K. government about the ongoing rise in cases and any restrictions that might be announced. Throughout the pandemic, she has been mindful of setting the right example within the existing guidelines.Queen Elizabeth with the Sultan of Oman.JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesBuckingham Palace declined to comment, but an announcement is expected in the next couple of days.Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!In recent months since she canceled a visit to Northern Ireland andspent a night in the hospitalin October, the Queen has been carrying out light duties including audiences and video meetings.Normally, members of the royal family join her at Sandringham, with guests typically arriving in the early afternoon on Christmas Eve.The family opens their presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, and on Christmas, the family famously walks to church services at St. Mary’s Magdalene Church on the estate. After their church outing, the royal family heads back to Sandringham House for a lunch of Norfolk turkey and other festivities.Last week, the Queencanceled her pre-Christmaslunch for the extended family that had been planned to take place this Tuesday at Windsor Castle.
Queen Elizabeth, like so many around the world, is facing a difficult holiday decision.
WithCOVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.K., the 95-year-old monarch may change her plans to head to Sandringham for her traditional Christmas and New Year break.
The Queen usually stays at her estate in Norfolk from late December to just after February 6, the date she became queen at the death of her father George VI nearly 70 years ago.
But with the coronavirus variant, Omicron, causing a surge in cases, she is deciding whether to make the trip north from Windsor Castle. Even if she does head to Sandringham, the practice of allowing public in to watch the family walk to church on Christmas morning will be curtailed.
Queen Elizabeth and the royal family on Christmas Day in 2017.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
It is an especially poignant festive period for the Queen, who will mark her first holiday without her beloved husbandPrince Philip, who died in April, for the first time in more than seven decades.
For more onQueen Elizabeth, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.
If she stays in Windsor, where she has been largely based throughout the pandemic, it is understood that the royals will make sure they see the Queen on the day so she won’t be without close family members.
The decision to travel will ultimately be hers, but she is taking advice from her private secretaries, who are in touch with the U.K. government about the ongoing rise in cases and any restrictions that might be announced. Throughout the pandemic, she has been mindful of setting the right example within the existing guidelines.
Queen Elizabeth with the Sultan of Oman.JONATHAN BRADY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but an announcement is expected in the next couple of days.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
In recent months since she canceled a visit to Northern Ireland andspent a night in the hospitalin October, the Queen has been carrying out light duties including audiences and video meetings.
Normally, members of the royal family join her at Sandringham, with guests typically arriving in the early afternoon on Christmas Eve.
The family opens their presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day, and on Christmas, the family famously walks to church services at St. Mary’s Magdalene Church on the estate. After their church outing, the royal family heads back to Sandringham House for a lunch of Norfolk turkey and other festivities.
Last week, the Queencanceled her pre-Christmaslunch for the extended family that had been planned to take place this Tuesday at Windsor Castle.
source: people.com
