But what has she cancelled? My understanding was that she has cancelled the larger pre Christmas party, not that she has cancelled the family being there actually at Christmas??
Masked protesters block Port of Dover
Well done the Queen.
Most years, the Queen invites her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to join her at Buckingham Palace for a festive party.
But a Buckingham Palace source confirmed she had called off the royal gathering, because it could put too many people’s Christmas arrangements at risk.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-still-says-brits-25714556
But what has she cancelled? My understanding was that she has cancelled the larger pre Christmas party, not that she has cancelled the family being there actually at Christmas??
Sparklefizz
She does go to Balmoral for Christmas, and will apparently be helicoptered up there later next week.
No, she doesn’t. It’s Sandringham.
maddyone
annodomini the royals spend Christmas at Sandringham, not Balmoral.
Lucca I’d love to know what the Queen thinks, or has thought of many of our Prime Ministers but she’s far too professional to ever let it be known. It’s rumoured that she disliked Margaret Thatcher, but I’ve never heard anything about any of the others. I’d give more than a penny for her thoughts on BJ but I guess we’ll never know. I’d like even more to know what she thought of Donald Trump, and a number of other foreign dignitaries.
If she keeps a diary, we won’t be able to read it until 100 years after her death!
HM Queen always spends Christmas at Sandringham with her close family. She returns to London after 6 February, which is the anniversary of her father’s death. The do at Buckingham Palace is for the ‘lesser’ Royals - cousins and so on. The Royals who are taken to Royal Weddings in coaches! Balmoral is the summer residence. I think it would be too cold in the winter.
annodomini the royals spend Christmas at Sandringham, not Balmoral.
Lucca I’d love to know what the Queen thinks, or has thought of many of our Prime Ministers but she’s far too professional to ever let it be known. It’s rumoured that she disliked Margaret Thatcher, but I’ve never heard anything about any of the others. I’d give more than a penny for her thoughts on BJ but I guess we’ll never know. I’d like even more to know what she thought of Donald Trump, and a number of other foreign dignitaries.
Anniebach
She has had a very public word with Boris surely
Yes. I wonder what she thinks of him ?
The pictures of the RF at Christmas always show them going to church at Sandringham. In August they are seen attending Crathie Church. I have read somewhere that there is a very poor heating system (if any) at Balmoral which is a good argument for not spending Christmas there!
She has had a very public word with Boris surely
Such a good example to the Country she should have a quiet word with Boris and show him how it should be done.
But the queen setting an example is good and will help.
Agreed, nadateturbe. Leadership by example.
Boris & Co take note!!!
GrannyGravy13
nadateturbe ok, it’s easy to misinterpret posts, sorry ?
That's ok GG13. As I'm a republican you probably thought I was being critical. But the queen setting an example is good and will help.
The Queen has made the most sensible decision in the present circumstances.
Cold
The Queen traditionally travels to the Sandringham estate by train - most recently in 2019. I do not begrudge her travelling by helicopter at 95, during a pandemic and in her current ill health.
Cold, she has experience of jumping out of helicopters 
Sparklefizz
She does go to Balmoral for Christmas, and will apparently be helicoptered up there later next week.
Sandringham for Christmas and probably this year too.
Buckingham Palace is the workplace.
nadateturbe ok, it’s easy to misinterpret posts, sorry ?
The Queen traditionally travels to the Sandringham estate by train - most recently in 2019. I do not begrudge her travelling by helicopter at 95, during a pandemic and in her current ill health.
Take note Prime Minister
GrannyGravy13
nadateturbe
www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38164281/queen-elizabeth-flies-to-sandringham-helicopter-christmas-2021/
Always helpful to set a good example.That article was written on 4th November when the Queen returned to work and visited Sandringham after she was in hospital.
The Queen usually travels to Sandringham by train, but in the middle of a pandemic if flying by helicopter is safer for her, I cannot see the problem.
Neither can I. (Although I wish my daughter could do the same with my grandsons next qeek and we wouldn't have to worry!)
I was commenting on the fact that the Queen does spend Christmas at Sandringham and also that it was good that she is setting a good example by cancelling the family celebration.
A very wise decision.
A sensible decision from our very wise Queen.
MaizieD
TerriBull
I think she is very wise to do that. I'm going to have her speech on at 3pm on Christmas Day, it does occur that there might not be many more of them.
You'd probably be able to get a box set of all 69 of them on Netflix...
(Sorry, I'll slink away now...)
Oh you don't have to slink too much MaizieD, I might just get the box set, to see how much her voice has modified over the years. My father never had the Queen's Speech on because he couldn't stand the way she spoke, not her fault
Anyway when he died I found out my mother really loved the royal family and I've gone from complete indifference to a real soft spot for our Queen, I shall be bawling my eyes out with the rest of them when she dies.......and no I don't know her, but one of my aunts lived all her married life in Windsor if that helps 
MayBeMaw
Sparklefizz
She does go to Balmoral for Christmas, and will apparently be helicoptered up there later next week.
Nope
The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham, the Queen's country estate in Norfolk. During the sixties, when Her Majesty's children were small, many Christmases were celebrated at Windsor Castle, where The Royal Family spends Easter. But since 1988, when the castle was being rewired, Royal Christmases returned to Sandringham.
Every year The Queen spends the summer break at Balmoral, where she is joined by other members of The Royal Family. Between April and July every year Balmoral is open to the public.
Right. I will stop reading that newspaper then!!
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