This year, people will celebrate Christmas differently because of the pandemic and the same rules apply to the Queen and the rest of the royal family. Traditionally, the royal family all head to the Sandringham estate for a festive holiday. However, the Queen and her relatives will have to decide who to have in their Christmas bubble, and where to stay.
Who makes Queen’s Christmas bubble?
Under lockdown relaxation rules, three households can mix from December 23 to 27. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have a huge family of four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Last year, those joining the monarch in Norfolk included the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and her then-fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
It is understood that the decision will not be made for another few weeks. The royals will also have to decide whether it is wise to visit the 94-year-old monarch and 99-year-old Philip. They are allowed to travel to Sandringham during the five days but they may also decide to stay at Windsor Castle, where they have spent much of lockdown being looked after by reducing the number of staff dubbed “HMS Bubble”.
If the Queen remains at Windsor, it would be the first time in more than 30 years that she has spent Christmas at the historic Berkshire castle. Wherever the Queen is, she will attend church on Christmas Day. Places of worship open in England in all areas from December 2, and people can also meet their Christmas bubble there between December 23 and 27.