The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate Christmas alone

Marni Dixit
·Senior Entertainment & Lifestyle Reporter
·3-min read

The Queen, 94, and Prince Philip, 99, will spend Christmas alone for the first time since 1949 rather than forming a bubble with other family members this festive season.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh normally spend Christmas with family at Sandringham, in Norfolk, but this year will be much quieter as they will remain at Windsor Castle.

The Queen and Prince Philip will spend Christmas alone for the first time since 1949. Photo: Getty
The Queen and Prince Philip will spend Christmas alone for the first time since 1949. Photo: Getty

This is the first Christmas Day the couple will be without any of their four children for the first time since 1949, when the Queen left Prince Charles in the UK so she could be with Prince Philip in Malta.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend Christmas at Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, but are expected to visit the Queen and Prince Philip at some point over the festive season.

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Meanwhile, Prince William and his family will likely spend Christmas at Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, or with the Middleton family in Berkshire.

It's believed the Queen won't attend a church service on Christmas Day as she doesn't want crowds gathering, so is expected to instead worship privately at Windsor Castle's private chapel.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will likely remain in the US for Christmas as it's been revealed the Duke of Sussex is "not ready" to return to the UK.

Prince William and his family will likely spend Christmas at Anmer Hall or with the Middleton family, while Prince Harry and his family will host their own event at home. Photo: Getty
Prince William and his family will likely spend Christmas at Anmer Hall or with the Middleton family, while Prince Harry and his family will host their own event at home. Photo: Getty

It will be the second year in a row that the couple will miss the traditional Sandringham Christmas celebrations. They will instead host a small get together at their own home.

"At this stage they are really enjoying their new life in California and their new home," a source told Katie Nicholl for Vanity Fair, also hinting a the supposed strained relationship between Harry and brother Prince William.

"Let's just say that while things are better between Harry and his brother, it's not what it was, and I don't think anyone is ready for a cozy family Christmas right now."

Instead the Sussexes are set to host their own Christmas in LA and plan on inviting his 'surrogate' dad, Canadian record producer David Foster, and his wife Katharine McPhee, according to The Mirror.

Last year, Harry, Meghan and Archie weren't included in the family portraits by the Queen's side in her Christmas Day broadcast. Photo: Getty
Last year, Harry, Meghan and Archie weren't included in the family portraits by the Queen's side in her Christmas Day broadcast. Photo: Getty

Katharine, who is 36 years younger than David, was friends with Meghan when they both attended Immaculate High School in LA.

Speaking of David and Harry's "really, really beautiful relationship", Katharine has previously said, "They're so cute, like father and son."

"Meghan very much wants to host the first Christmas at their new home with her mum," a source told The Mirror.

"She’s really excited and is planning on doing all the traditions she grew up with as a child, including the cooking."

"They want to get on with their new lives. Christmas with Harry’s family is not in the plan."

Last year, their absence was reflected in the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast, where Harry, Meghan and Archie weren't included in the family portraits by her side.

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