Her Majesty, the Queen, will
be joined by a handful of family members this Christmas, it has been confirmed.
A spokesperson for Clarence House announced that her eldest son, Prince Charles,
and his wife the Duchess of Cornwell will be among the guests this year.
The royal couple will spend Christmas at
Windsor Castle as the Queen marks the first Christmas without her late husband,
the Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away in April.
Her
Majesty traditionally hosts her family at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk
over the holidays, and they are watched by crowds as they attend church on
Christmas Day.
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| Prince Charles and Camilla will join the Queen on Christmas day |
However,
the Queen and Prince Philip spent their first Christmas in Windsor in 33 years
last year due to the pandemic. It’s understood that this year’s decision was
taken as a “precautionary” measure amid rising COVID-19 cases.
The
monarch also canceled her traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Windsor Castle,
where she was set to host members of the extended family. At the time, royal
sources stated that while there is “regret that it is canceled, there is
a belief that it is the right thing to do for all concerned.”
Traditionally
the gathering takes place at Buckingham Palace, but the monarch had instead organized
for the family catch-up to be held at Windsor Castle as her London residence is
undergoing renovation works.
Meanwhile,
for Christmas last year, Prince Charles and Camilla stayed at their Gloucester
home, Highgrove House, while the Cambridges spent Christmas at their Norfolk
abode, Anmer Hall. It has not yet been confirmed the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge will be spending Christmas.
