It has been announced that the Queen has canceled her Christmas lunch with the royal family amid a surging number of COVID-19 Omicron cases.
- The Queen planned to host a Christmas party at Windsor Castle this festive season.
- Sadly for Her Majesty, it has just been announced that this party has now been canceled.
- In other royal news, Sarah Ferguson says her relationship with Prince Andrew is a 'fairytale' and 'stands by him' despite sexual assault allegations.
Queen has said "with regret" that the royal family's annual Christmas party will be canceled this year because of COVID-19, reports The Sun.
It is said that Her Majesty has made this decision because it was "the right thing to do" as cases of the Omicron variant continue to surge in the UK.
It has been reported that although the decision to cancel was "a precautionary one," it was felt by Her Majesty that this festive family get-together would "put too many people's Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead".
Buckingham Palace has also declined to comment further as the Christmas party was not an official royal engagement and instead, a "private family event".
This annual Christmas get-together was reportedly due to take place on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Windsor Castle.
This pre-Christmas reunion was for the entire royal family, before the Queen and other members head to Norfolk for Christmas Day.
It is thought that the Queen would fly via helicopter to Sandringham House where she will be joined by Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children who will be staying close by at their Norfolk property Amner Hall.
Traditionally the family also gets together at Sandringham on Christmas Eve for dinner where they also keep a tradition that pays tribute to the royal family's German heritage.
The family then has an additional feast on Christmas Day where they eat a turkey lunch after they attend the Christmas mass at St Mary Magdalene's Church on the Sandringham estate.
Now that the Windsor event is canceled, it is unclear when Her Majesty will travel to Sandringham and which members of the royal family might join her there.
This is a particularly challenging festive period for Her Majesty who lost her husband earlier this year, it will be her first Christmas without him, and unfortunately possibly without her extended family too.
-
Unforgettable date ideas to make a great first impression or rekindle romanceForget the same old first date formula - these unforgettable date ideas will leave them thinking about you long after you go home
-
Butter yellow might be the colour of the season, but Amal Clooney is making me want to try sunshine shadesSpark some joy by adding some statement yellow pieces to your wardrobe just in time for summer
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expertPrince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in RomeIf we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
-
James Middleton says he 'had three mothers growing up' as he opens up on close-knit family bondThe Princess of Wales’s brother had several 'mothering figures' during his childhood and was 'fortunate' to have this tightknit support system.
-
What earrings does Kate Middleton wear? The affordable brands she loves and where to buy her piecesThe Princess of Wales gravitates towards certain brands for her everyday earrings and many of them are still available right now.
-
Kate Middleton's Mother's Day post has poignant detail that's easy to miss as Princess steps away from traditionThe Princess of Wales shared a video for Mother's Day this year and it included a detail that reminded us of a pivotal moment for her
-
Kate Middleton and Duchess Sophie prove that buying items you love in multiple colours can really pay offThey've shown that having your favourite pieces in several shades can be so handy if they're true to your signature style
-
Remember Kate Middleton's baby pink McQueen suit? I've found a dreamy Mango lookalikeThe Princess of Wales's pastel pink suit was a show-stopping spring outfit and I've found something very similar at Mango
-
Kate Middleton addresses family move and why she and Prince William swapped London for WindsorThe Princess of Wales has explained why she and Prince William moved to Berkshire in 2022 and it makes complete sense
