Queen cancels Christmas at Sandringham for second year as Omicron rips across UK
The decision was a 'personal one’ taken after careful consideration, a source said.
The Queen, 95, has downsized her Christmas plans, despite Boris Johnson ruling out immediate extra Covid restrictions.
Buckingham Palace confirmed today Her Majesty has decided to celebrate in Windsor rather than travel to Sandringham, as Omicron tears through the UK.
The decision was a ‘personal one’ taken after careful consideration, and it reflects a precautionary approach, a royal source said.
It is not yet known who will join the monarch for her first Christmas without her beloved late husband Prince Philip.
Family members will be invited to visit Windsor over the festive period.
All sensible precautions and all appropriate guidelines will be followed as 91,000 more coronavirus cases are reported today alone.
The news comes just over an hour after the prime minister ruled out immediately reimposing lockdown rules – but added that he ‘reserves the possibility’ of taking action.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, he said: ‘We will have to reserve the possibility of taking further action to protect the public, and to protect public health and the NHS, and we won’t hesitate to take that action.’
The Queen also decided to cancel a traditional pre-Christmas lunch with other members of the Royal Family last week.
She normally invites her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to join her at Buckingham Palace before she leaves for Sandringham.
It comes after the Duchess of Sussex, 40, was spotted Christmas shopping in California.
Meghan Markle dodged crowds wearing a brown beanie and blue face mask as she browsed stores.
The Sussexes are expected to celebrate Christmas in the US again this year.
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