Since her father died in 1952, Queen Elizabeth has spent many of her Christmases at Sandringham. Traditionally the Queen leaves her Norfolk estate on a particular day every year, so what is the reason?

Every year members of the Royal Family visit the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. 

The residence was bought by Queen Victoria in 1863. 

Since the 1980s, the estate has been the backdrop of many a Royal Christmas, with family members always spotted attending St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk on Christmas Day morning. 

But this year there were concerns Prince Philip would not be joining the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas. 

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The Duke of Edinburgh was hospitalised to receive treatment for a pre-existing health condition in London, but managed to return to Norfolk in time for the festivities.

Now Christmas is over, the Queen and Prince Philip will be remaining at Sandringham for some time.

Every year, it is thought the pair stay up until midnight to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Since his retirement from royal engagements in 2017, Prince Philip resides full-time at Wood Farm on the estate.

When will the Queen leave Sandringham?

There were initially concerns the snap general election, and the following Queen’s Speech in Parliament, could delay the Queen’s travels to Sandringham this Christmas.

The Queen traditionally travels up to Norfolk the week before Christmas.

The Queen usually stays at Sandringham until February 6, a date which holds special meaning for the monarch.

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On February 6, 1952, the Queen’s father, King George VI, passed away at Sandringham.

This year the Queen made a heartfelt reference to her father in her annual 2019 Christmas message.

On the subject of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the Queen recalled how her father dealt with the military operation.

She said: “This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day.

“On June 6, 1944, some 156,000 British, Canadian and American forces landed in northern France.”

She added: “It was the largest ever seaborne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather.

“I well remember the look of concern on my father’s face.

“He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no one.”

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