Queen and Royal Family listen to Salvation Army at Windsor

The Duke of Edinburgh officially retired from royal duties in 2017 but followers were still disappointed not to see him alongside the Queen, Prince William, Kate, Prince Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne and Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex. The Queen braved wintry conditions to stand on the steps of the Equerry’s entrance in Windsor castle’s quadrangle and listened as the Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army played Christmas carols.

It is so difficult, we are still trying to make plans

Prince William

Socially distanced around her were Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, William and Kate, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal – who had all arrived separately to the monarch.

The Queen, 94, beamed a huge smile as she arrived at Windsor Castle to lead tributes to the work of local volunteers and key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

But 99-year-old Prince Philip did not appear in photos from the event, sparking questions from royal watchers.

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One disappointed fan tweeted: “Sad not to see Prince Philip but lovely to see our Royal Family back together again.”

Another said: “Pity not to see Prince Philip; I’m sure he would have liked to have seen the band.”

And another said: “But why is Prince Philip not present?”

The Queen’s appearance was the first time she has been seen in public with the Prince of Wales and senior members of the monarchy since before the coronavirus pandemic.

The royal family has been separated for much of the pandemic, with the Queen spending most of her time in Windsor Castle while the Duke of Edinburgh stayed in Sandringham.

The pair have already opted to celebrate a quiet Christmas alone at Windsor.

The reunion at Windsor Castle came at the end of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Royal Train Tour of the UK.

The two-day tour took the royal couple more than 1,000 miles across the country to pay tribute to the efforts of key workers and communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

The trip had been criticised by Welsh and Scottish ministers amid coronavirus restrictions but received the backing of the Prime Minister.

After initially stating the tour was a “matter for the Palace” Number 10 said it would provide a “welcome morale boost to frontline workers”.

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The Duchess of Cambridge also gave an insight into their own Christmas plans and revealed they were having trouble deciding what to do.

William said: “It is so difficult, we are still trying to make plans.

“It’s difficult to know what to do for the best.”

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