First Christmas Without Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II To Sandringham Palace Despite Wave Of Omicron Variant

Ratu Elizabeth II. (Wikimedia Commons/UK Home Office)

JAKARTA - Queen Elizabeth II is set to continue her Christmas plans this year, for the first time without her husband, and amid a surge in cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the UK.

According to the Mirror, on December 14, the Queen will hold a family gathering at the castle, before traveling to Sandringham Palace, Norfolk for Christmas this year.

Also plans to host a Christmas Celebration at Sandringham Palace, before going to St. Paul's Church. Magdalena is also reported to be running.

It will be the Queen's first Christmas without her husband Prince Philip, who died in April aged 99.

A source told The Sun, "Plans are on the way but obviously it will be reviewed until the last minute." The party has reportedly been moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor where the Queen currently resides.

An internal source told The Sun the Queen didn't want anything to get in the way of such an important family event. They added: "This is probably the first time so many family members have come together since Philip's funeral.

"But obviously everyone has to act responsibly and things can change in no time, but as is, everything is ready for Tuesday."

Understandably, three of his four newest great-grandchildren, August, Lucas, and Siena are expected to attend the party.

Last month, the Queen told her family she was well enough to host Christmas at Sandringham after recovering from a back sprain.

Meanwhile, Express is believed Queen Elizabeth II will travel to the Norfolk residence on or around Friday, December 17.

Separately, The Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers told Pod Save The Queen last month Her Majesty's 'pilgrimage' back to Sandringham "where there are so many wonderful memories for her and the whole family" will help her get better.

Myers added: “The guest list will be far and wide but not yet fully confirmed. "But I imagine we can look forward to seeing Charles, Camilla, Cambridges. Are we going to see cameo appearances from Harry and Meghan and the kids? You never know?" the shoots.

The Sussexes have not returned to British soil as a couple since moving to the US last year, largely due to coronavirus travel restrictions.