First Christmas Without Prince Philip and Change in Traditions Amid Omicron Surge
This Christmas marks the Queen’s first festive season since the passing of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, in April. The usual pre-Christmas lunch for the extended royal family was cancelled due to the rapid spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. However, Her Majesty will still celebrate the holiday with some family members, though not at her traditional Sandringham Estate.
Buckingham Palace confirmed earlier this week that the Queen will spend Christmas and New Year at Windsor Castle, deviating from the long-standing tradition of travelling to Norfolk for the holiday. This marks a shift in royal customs as the family adapts to the ongoing health concerns surrounding the pandemic.
