Queen Elizabeth II has canceled part of her annual Christmas celebration due to renewed concerns about Covid-19 and the health of the 95-year-old monarch. The Queen typically hosts her extended family for a luncheon at Buckingham Palace in the days leading up to Christmas. A spokesman said that the cancellation is only a precaution to ensure that no one is sick for Christmas as a result of the large gathering, though the Queen’s own health must be a principle concern.
Queen Elizabeth changes Christmas plans
Queen Elizabeth has largely stayed at Windsor Castle since the beginning of the pandemic. Her late husband Prince Philip resided there with her until his death earlier this year.
The gathering with her very large extended family was cancelled due to a rise in Covid cases across the United Kingdom. Like the royals, millions of people are limiting their social interactions to ensure that nothing disrupts their plans to spend time with family on Christmas.
The Queen is already being cautious due to a number of recent health scares, though there does not seem to be any specific health concern which motivated this cancellation.
For her first Christmas as a widow Queen Elizabeth still plans to spend time with some of her closer family members as they continue other royal holiday traditions.
Prince William and his family are expected to join the Queen for Christmas, though the estranged Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Merkel will be remaining in America.
The royals usually spend Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk and walk to attend a service in the small St Mary Magdalene Church. The Queen herself wakes up early to receive communion privately before being joined by the rest of the family.
Public appearance possible
For decades now the Queen has recorded a yearly Christmas message to be broadcast around the world on Christmas day. This year’s address was already recorded several weeks ago at Windsor Castle.
Aides are reportedly working to arrange a public appearance from the Queen for the holiday in addition to the recorded message. It would be her first public appearance since October.
One nation which will not be looking forward to a royal appearance is Barbados, which recently abolished its ties to the monarchy, instead celebrating Rihanna and tearing down a statue of the heroic naval officer Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson.
There has been a great deal of concern about the Omnicron variant of Covid-19 which may interfere with the Christmas plans of people across the UK.
Infections are soaring with the arrival of the new variant but any increase in hospitalizations or deaths has been negligible despite the fears.
Amid all of the turmoil there will doubtless be many people in the UK and around the world who will be pleased to hear from one of the most constant public figures in the world this Christmas.
