Queen to miss Sandringham Christmas as she cancels plans

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The Queen traditionally spends Christmas surrounded by her family at Sandringham. But this year the monarch has been forced to alter her plans, as concern grows around the rising cases of the new Omicron variant. Instead, the Queen will stay in Windsor where she will hold a scaled-down celebration. Which of the royals will be selected to join her?

This is the second year in a row the Queen has had to cancel her Christmas trip to Sandringham because of Covid concerns.

Last year the Queen shared her Christmas with her late husband Prince Philip.

The pair spent the majority of their lockdowns in a ‘bubble’ together at Windsor Castle.

Being surrounded by her family will be all the more important this year.

This will be the first time the 95-year-old monarch will be spending Christmas without her beloved husband by her side.

Buckingham Palace aides said the decision made by her Majesty “reflects a precautionary approach”.

Royal insiders insist the Royal Family won’t allow the Queen to be lonely this Christmas.

Royal analyst, Kate Nicholl, insists the Royal Family won’t leave the Queen by herself in Windsor.

She told True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat: “I simply cannot believe the family will allow it to happen, I don’t think it will happen.”

Although the Queen will have a scaled-back Christmas this year, royal insider Phil Dampier believes a smaller group of relatives will join the Queen for lunch on Christmas Day.

He told The Sun he expects this group to be limited to a maximum of 15 close family members.

He said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Andrew and possibly Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex and maybe some others – a small hard core of people [will] join her for lunch.”

Princess Anne definitely won’t be in attendance as her husband, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence has recently tested positive for Covid.

ITV Journalist Chris Ship tweeted on December 22: “Buckingham Palace says Princess Anne’s husband, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence has tested positive for Covid.

“Whilst royal aides won’t say who will visit the Queen this Christmas, they do confirm that the Princess Royal and husband won’t be at Windsor.”

The Duke and Duchess of York are likely to be at the top of the guest list owing to their close proximity to Windsor Castle.

Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson live just five miles from Windsor Castle at The Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire.

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex also live nearby.

The Wessexes live at Bagshot Park in Surrey, so their commute to lunch wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

Despite their closeness to the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are unlikely to attend.

The Cambridges are reportedly planning to spend their Christmas with George, Charlotte and Louis at their family home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk.

Last year, Prince Charles and Camilla spent Christmas Day at Highgrove.

The pair haven’t revealed their plans for this Christmas this year, so it’s unclear whether they will join the Queen in Windsor.

The exact guest list has been kept under close wraps, as a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said plans were “still being confirmed”.

Any royal fans concerned that the Queen could catch Covid by mixing with her family on Christmas Day should be reassured to hear that “all appropriate guidelines” would be followed.

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