Queen Elizabeth's family Christmas gathering is set to be axed for the first time in 33 years.
Queen Elizabeth
The 94-year-old monarch and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip usually host their family for the festive season at their Sandringham estate but the pair are reportedly planning to spend a quiet Christmas alone together at Windsor Castle due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "We have been told not to expect them back for Christmas."
One of the reasons for the decision not to travel to Sandringham is that staff are reportedly refusing to quarantine away from their own loved ones during the festive season.
Another insider said: "Nothing has been resolved as staff are still refusing to quarantine from their families.
"So it's looking almost certain they can't have Christmas inside the big house at Sandringham.
"It is possible, of course, to arrange a smaller one for Philip and the Queen at Wood Farm cottage.
"But moving the Queen and Duke to Windsor, where they know the bubble works, makes it simpler to start planning to stay there for Christmas."
However, no official plans have been made for Christmas yet, with a Buckingham Palace spokesman explaining: "No final decision has been taken on Christmas."
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