Royal Christmas in crisis after family member tests positive
Princess Anne’s husband Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the couple to isolate over Christmas.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Mr Laurence had contracted the virus, and that the couple will no longer visit the Queen at Windsor Castle for Christmas because they are self-isolating at home in Gloucestershire for the next ten days.
Royal aides have not yet confirmed who will attend Christmas Day celebrations at Windsor Castle, for the first Christmas Queen Elizabeth will spend without Prince Philip.
The Queen had earlier decided not to travel to her Sandringham estate for this year’s holiday celebrations out of an abundance of caution amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases related to the Omicron variant. Having been hospitalised earlier this year, ensuring the Queen’s good health is likely a priority this holiday season.
The royal family typically spends Christmas at their Sandringham estate in Norfolk, for celebrations that include a walk to the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate.
Prince William recently shared his memories of the annual walk in an episode of Apple’s ‘Time to Walk’ audio series, describing Prince Phillip plowing ahead towards the church while "there'd be us at the back with little legs trying to keep up."
Queen Elizabeth was expected to host the family’s annual Christmas luncheon, but cancelled the event last week in light of increasing COVID-19 cases.
All of the royal estates receive a makeover for Christmas, regardless of whether members of the royal family will be present to enjoy them or not. The Royal Collection Trust recently released several photos of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh decorated for the festive season.
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