Queen Elizabeth Has No Choice But To Break This 30+ Year Royal Holiday Tradition In 2020

Anyone who knows anything about the British Royal Family knows that they are all about tradition, especially when it comes to Christmas. That’s why it comes as a shock to many that Queen Elizabeth is breaking a royal tradition that she’s had for decades amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth Breaks With Christmas Tradition 

The Queen, 94, and the royal family have spent every Christmas since 1988 at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk. This year, however, that will not be happening.

Unfortunately, it’s considered too risky for the monarch and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip to travel there from Windsor Castle.

In a statement obtained by Entertainment Tonight,  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.” 

This means that the Queen and her fellow Royals will not be taking part in their annual Sandringham tradition of walking together to church services at the estate’s St. Mary Magdalene church on Christmas morning.

Royal fans travel from all over the world and line the path to the church in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Queen or one of her family members.

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Queen And Philip Take COVID Precautions

Given the fact that the Queen and Philip are each over the age of 90, they are considered high risk for complications from COVID-19.

That’s why the they are taking every precaution in making sure they do not contract the virus.

The couple has spent much of their time since March isolating together at Windsor Castle, which is where they will be celebrating Christmas this year.

While the Queen has made the safe choice for her health, it can’t be an easy one for her, given how important of a holiday Christmas has always been for her.

This year will definitely be a different kind of Christmas for her compared to any she’s experienced in her 68-year reign.

Sadly, she won’t get to spend time with the family like she did last year:

“Christmas is something the Queen has always done with enormous, genuine family style, and is facing not doing so sadly,” royal biographer Robert Lacey previously told People Magazine. 

However, he made sure to add that, “she is accepting of that.”

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Harry, Meghan, And Archie Will Not Visit Queen Elizabeth This Christmas

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie will not be spending Christmas with the Queen either.

Since they stepped down as senior Royals, Meghan and Harry have moved forward with their own life in the U.S. In fact, they purchased a home in the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California.

Last year, they didn’t spend the holidays with the Queen at Sandringham. Instead they went to Canada. And, just after Christmas, the infamous “Megxit” announcement was made. 

Vanity Fair reports: 

Nonetheless, the news that Harry won’t be coming home will likely be disappointing for the Queen, who is said to miss her grandson and great grandson Archie, whom she has not seen for a year.

The couple and Archie will travel to Britain in January for Meghan’s court case  against the Mail on Sunday newspaper. The suit is for breach of copyright because they published a private letter she wrote to her father Thomas Markle.

Changes For The Queen And Royals

Millions of people all over the world are looking at a very different holiday season than what we’re used to having. It’s hard being away from family but it’s also important that we all stay healthy.

While this has undoubtedly been a difficult decision for the Queen, we can certainly want her healthy for many years to come.

God bless the Queen and the entire Royal Family this Christmas.