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For the first time in over three decades, Queen Elizabeth will be celebrating Christmas at Windsor Castle. The monarch’s holiday plans were revealed on Tuesday by a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, who said (via HOLA! USA’s sister brand HELLO!), “Having considered all the appropriate advice, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”
The last time the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip , 99, spent Christmas in Windsor was back in 1987. Her Majesty, who is currently isolating at Windsor with her husband, traditionally spends the festive season at Sandringham in Norfolk. A royal source told People magazine, “They are fortunate to spend Christmas with their family every year, but they understand that their family will have competing demands over the Christmas period and are content to have a quiet festive season this year.” The source added, “Like everyone, their hope is that normality will return in 2021.”
Sky News reports that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend Christmas at Highgrove, but “expect to have a chance to see the Queen and Philip at Windsor at some point.” Prince William and Kate Middleton ’s holiday plans have not yet been revealed. Prince George and Princess Charlotte made their royal Christmas walk debut in 2019 walking from Sandringham House to St. Mary Magdalene Church alongside their parents and other royal family members.
Last month, the Duchess of Cambridge’s mother Carole Middleton revealed her virtual holiday plans for her grandchildren. “We may not be able to get together but, after a year like 2020, we need to remember what’s really important this Christmas,” Prince Louis ’ maternal grandmother wrote in a winter message shared by her business, Party Pieces. “For me, what really matters is that my family feels connected. I normally let my grandchildren help me decorate the tree. This year, I’ll ask them by video call to decide which decoration should go where. It may need to be tastefully rearranged later.”