Queen 'will still see family at Christmas' says Levin

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Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Queen, 95, will yet again break from her usual royal tradition by celebrating Christmas at Windsor Castle rather than at Sandringham. For the second year in a row, Her Majesty’s plans for a traditional festive gathering at her Norfolk Estate have been scuppered by coronavirus.

The Queen’s decision to cancel this year’s festivities at Sandringham was a “personal one” based on a “precautionary approach” amid the spread of the Omicron Covid variant, according to a palace source.

In recent weeks, the variant has infected thousands of people, meaning many could be spending Christmas in isolation or away from family members.

This Christmas will be particularly hard for the Queen, as it marks the first for the monarch since the loss of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh died in April, aged 99, and last year the couple enjoyed scaled-back festivities together at Windsor, as the country was plunged into lockdown.

This year, over the festive period, Her Majesty is still expected to be visited by members of the Firm, regardless of where she is based.

The Mirror reports that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 39, are among other prominent royals, who have committed to only essential contacts this week in order to protect the Queen.

Among these royals is Prince Edward, 57, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, who live in close proximity to the Queen.

The couple reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey with their two children, Lady Louise, 18, and James, Viscount Severn, 14.

As the Wessexes live fairly close, whenever the Queen is in residence at Windsor Castle, Sophie and her family are regular guests.

The Wessexes often visit the Queen to enjoy horse riding, afternoon tea and trips to church.

The Queen is also said to have a particular soft spot for Louise and James, who had a close bond with her grandfather Prince Philip.

Louise and the Queen share a passion for horse riding, while Sophie and the Queen are interested in military history. A friend of Sophie previously revealed the Countess and the Queen enjoy watching films together.

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In addition, a former royal equerry once told the Sun the Queen finds Sophie’s presence “soothing”, meaning the Wessexes could provide some much-needed comfort to the monarch over the festive season.

Sophie and Edward offered significant support to Her Majesty at her home in the wake of Philip’s death.

In April, the couple spent around an hour at the property with Her Majesty, and, as they left, Sophie spoke to reporters from the car driven by her husband.

The Countess of Wessex said upon leaving the royal residence: “The Queen has been amazing.”

Sophie is said to be the Queen’s favourite daughter-in-law, and royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams previously told Express.co.uk that the Countess is “extremely close” to Her Majesty.

He said at the time of Philip’s death: “Sophie has become extremely close to the Queen who spends a great deal of time with her and she will be a great comfort during this sad period.”

Their relationship between the two women is so close that Sophie has a nickname for her mother-in-law.

During a speech for the queen’s Diamond Jubilee Trust in 2019, Sophie addressed the Queen as “Mama.”

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