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Queen and Prince Philip to spend ‘quiet’ Christmas at Windsor as Covid disrupts tradition

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Queen has been forced to change her Christmas plans and have “quiet” celebrations this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She has decided to spend the festive period at Windsor Castle, rather than Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, for the first time in 33 years.

In a statement on Tuesday Buckingham Palace said: “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.”

It is understood The Queen will not attend a church service on Christmas Day to avoid attracting any crowds

Since 1988 the Queen and the Duke have every Christmas with their extended family at Sandringham.

Sources say the pair understand that the royal family will have competing demands over Christmas, and hope that things can return to normal in 2021.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be at Highgrove for Christmas Day.

But the couple expect to have a chance to see The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor at some point over the festive period.

The Duchess will also see her family over the festive period.

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