Royal Family news – Queen concerned with William and Kate's safety as Christmas Day walkabout may be 'cancelled'
THE Queen may ‘CANCEL the Christmas Day walkabout amid fears it could become Omicron super spreader event’
Usually, thousands of royal fans gather to greet members of the Firm at Sandringham estate, Norfolk, during their annual December 25 stroll. Some fans even queue from the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of the royal clan.
Sources say that: "Of course everyone would love everything back to normal – but the situation is anything but."
Meanwhile, earlier this week, The Queen cancelled her family Christmas party over Covid fears.
Her Majesty said it was "with regret" the annual royal get-together would not be going ahead as planned, but claimed it was "the right thing to do".
Cases of the Omicron variant have been growing across the UK, and so going ahead with plans would, "put too many people's Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead".
Read our royal family live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Louis Allwood
Kate's first royal Christmas
A 2020 book claims that Kate refused her first-ever invitation she received from the Queen to celebrate Christmas with the Firm.
In “Battle of the Brothers” Robert Lacey claims that when the monarch first extended an invitation for Kate to join the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas lunch in 2006, she declined.
The historian said: “[Kate] would go to Sandringham on Christmas Day only when she was engaged and had a ring to prove it.”
- Louis Allwood
Charles thanks booster workers
The Prince of Wales has thanked volunteers and NHS staff at a vaccination centre as he saw for himself the push to deliver booster jabs to the nation.
Charles, who last week revealed he and Camilla had received their Covid-19 boosters, hailed efforts at a makeshift clinic in Kennington, south London.
He also spoke out against vaccine misinformation, saying at one point: “It is so frustrating all these nonsense conspiracy theories.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate and William 'closer' after Sussexes exit
An insider has claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan’s departure from their roles as senior working royals “has been hugely stressful” on Kate and Prince William.
One close insider told PEOPLE Magazine that: “Everything with Harry and Meghan has been hugely stressful, but if anything, it’s pulled [her and William] closer together. She was upset about it because [William] was so upset. Seeing her husband so distraught was tough.”
However, the insider said that Kate is, “no pushover. She has an inner strength for sure.”
- Milica Cosic
Queen's worry over Xmas plans
The monarch made the difficult decision last week to postpone her annual family tradition after a record number of Covid cases were recorded.
There are fears that the Queen looks set to cancel her traditional Christmas Day walkabout over fears it could become an Omicron super-spreader.
Her Majesty has already called off her festive family party as Covid rips through the UK.
Covid cases have risen, with a total of 90,418 fresh infections reported in the 24 hours to December 18.
The number of Omicron cases has also soared, trebling in 24 hours.
If it so happens that the Christmas Day walk is off, it will be the Queen's second festive event to be cancelled in a matter of days.
- Milica Cosic
Cambridges ‘heading to the US’
A friend of Princess Diana has claimed that Kate Middleton and Prince William are planning to visit Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in California in January.
Stewart Pearce told Royally US: “That’s what I heard, absolutely.
“Particularly around the middle part of January, to celebrate the wonder of being 40 – Kate’s 40th birthday.
“And for the children to meet one another, be friendly and do all sorts of family things.
“Particularly in that location which is so easy to access the beach and go on cycle rides without being too disturbed by the paparazzi or people who are over-eager to meet.”
- Milica Cosic
Jamie Oliver ‘snubbed’ by Meghan & Harry
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were approached by Jamie Oliver, who offered to do the catering for their wedding, but the Sussexes didn’t respond.
The TV chef said: “I would have done it for free.
“I like a bit of a moment. I would have got all the American gang over, we’ve got all the British dudes. It would have been the best brigade of kitchen ever.”
Emilia Fox called it a “massive missed opportunity”.
- Milica Cosic
A more ‘formal’ Xmas celebration with Harry & Meghan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will still find a way to celebrate the festive season with The Queen, an expert has claimed.
Earlier this month, royal correspondent Neil Sean discussed how the Royal Family will be marking Christmas this year on his YouTube channel.
Neil claimed: “There will be some gifts but it will be very formal.
“[The Queen] is far too gracious to be childish and not include [Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the gift package.”
However, the expert said the gift opening would take place at “a distance” and NOT over Zoom calls.
- Milica Cosic
‘Vodka soda with loads of lime’ to go for one royal, please!
New mum Eugenie may have been off the alcohol during her pregnancy with baby August, but the royal is sure to be raising a glass this festive season.
She told Harper’s Bazaar, “My favourite drink is vodka soda with loads of lime. Can’t beat that.”
Her husband, Jack Brooksbank, is the brand ambassador of Casamigos and it was served at their royal wedding in 2018.
- Milica Cosic
First look at Royal Carols: Together At Christmas
ROYAL fans have been given a sneak peak at Kate Middleton’s star-studded carol service, which will air on Christmas Eve.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, looks glowing as she hosts the festive event, and is even wearing a Christmas jumper for the occasion.
In a clip released by ITV today, Kate looks radiant in red as she says: “I am so excited to be hosting Together At Christmas here at Westminster Abbey.”
The short promotional teaser, voiced by actor James McAvoy, shows a host of A-list stars performing for the royal service.
These include Kate Garraway, Tom Walker, Ellie Goulding and Leona Lewis.
He says: “Join Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, with special guests and music performances.”
- Milica Cosic
Queen's favourite Christmas film
According to legendary actor Brian Blessed, Her Majesty is a huge fan of the movie Flash Gordon – in which he starred in 1980.
Speaking to Yahoo Movies, the actor claimed Her Majesty rewatches the sci-fi film every year at Christmas.
He said: “[Flash Gordon] is her favourite film, she watches it with her grandchildren every Christmas.”
The sci-fi movie follows the adventures of quarterback Flash as he ventures into space to unite the planet Mongo and save Earth from destruction.
Impersonating The Queen, the actor joked: “You know, we watch Flash Gordon all the time, me and the grandchildren.
“And if you don’t mind, I’ve got the grandchildren here, would you mind saying ‘Gordon’s alive’?”
- Milica Cosic
Queen 'wants to set example'
A royal expert has claimed that The Queen wants to set an "example" for the country and could break a Royal Family Christmas tradition this year
Traditionally, the royals step out for church in Sandringham on Christmas Day as crowds of royal fans gather.
Royal commentator Richard Eden told Palace Confidential: “She wants to set an example and she wants to set a good example but everything's very difficult at the moment.
"People can catch this new variant of the virus even if they’ve been vaccinated and so it might be possible they don't walk to church because they don't want to attract crowds even though they’re outdoors."
- Milica Cosic
Hilarious Royal Xmas presents
Here are some of the hilarious gifts that had been given amongst members of the royal family… and they include a shower gap the Queen received from grandson Prince Harry.
Journalist Camilla Tominy discussed the Royal Family‘s Christmas plans on This Morning.
“Princess Anne gave Prince Charles a leather toiler seat cover,” Camilla revealed. “Another year, Prince Harry gave the Queen a shower cap with ‘ain’t life a b**** written on it.”
In the background, the This Morning team could be heard cracking up with laughter as Camilla continued to explain the Christmas tradition.
“They have a bit of a giggle,” she said of the early festive celebrations. “Then on the day of Christmas itself, they go to church and we see them.”
She joked they “changed outfit about 15 times” before finally sitting down for “turkey and all the trimmings” at the end of the day.
“Apparently, when they socialise, everyone can only go to bed after the Queen has decided to go to bed,” Camilla concluded.
- Milica Cosic
Kate & William planning US visit
A friend of Princess Diana has claimed that Kate Middleton and Prince William are planning to visit Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in California in January.
Stewart Pearce told Royally US: “That’s what I heard, absolutely.
“Particularly around the middle part of January, to celebrate the wonder of being 40 – Kate’s 40th birthday.
“And for the children to meet one another, be friendly and do all sorts of family things.
“Particularly in that location which is so easy to access the beach and go on cycle rides without being too disturbed by the paparazzi or people who are over-eager to meet.”
- Milica Cosic
Queen urges William not to take helicopters
Reportedly, the Queen has begged Prince William to stop taking helicopter rides with his wife and children due to fears over their safety.
A source told Fabulous: “Her Majesty has told close friends and courtiers that she would like William to stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather, as helicopters are not the safest form of transport.
“It keeps the Queen awake at night, and she is understandably very worried.”
“She knows William is a capable pilot but does not think it is worth the risk for all five of them to carry on flying together and can’t imagine what would happen. It would spark a constitutional crisis.
“The Queen has told William she is worried that, however good he is as a pilot, bad weather and accidents can strike at any time.”
- Milica Cosic
Charles' thanks to volunteers & NHS staff
The Prince of Wales has thanked volunteers and NHS staff at a vaccination centre as he saw for himself the push to deliver booster jabs to the nation.
Charles, who last week revealed he and Camilla had received their Covid-19 boosters, hailed efforts at a makeshift clinic in Kennington, south London.
He also spoke out against vaccine misinformation, saying at one point: “It is so frustrating all these nonsense conspiracy theories.”
- Milica Cosic
Royal snub from Kate
A 2020 book claims that Kate Middleton refused her first-ever invitation she received from the Queen to celebrate Christmas with the Firm.
In “Battle of the Brothers” Robert Lacey claims that when the monarch first extended an invitation for Kate to join the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas lunch in 2006, she declined.
The historian said: “[Kate] would go to Sandringham on Christmas Day only when she was engaged and had a ring to prove it.”
- Milica Cosic
‘I’m proud to support Jabs Army’ (Continued…)
Camilla — who is president of our Jabs Army partner, the Royal Voluntary Service — told The Sun: “Thanks to the combined efforts of so many, our country was the first in the world to begin vaccinating its people.
“Now we are faced with this new variant, I know that, once again, the wonderful Royal Voluntary Service and the Jabs Army will pull together so that we are all protected through the booster jab.
“You make us proud — and give us hope for brighter days ahead.”
The Sun is also urging readers to sign up to the Jabs Army campaign to make the rollout as smooth and fast as possible. A booster shot is the best protection against Omicron, with early data suggesting it pushes efficacy back up to 75 per cent.
- Milica Cosic
‘I’m proud to support Jabs Army’
The Duchess of Cornwall and Boris Johnson encouraged our drive to recruit 30,000 volunteers — amid fears the country may already be seeing 200,000 infections a day as the Omicron mutation grows.
The Sun is recruiting 30,000 to help turbocharge the national mission to drive down the Covid variant and save Christmas.
The renewed drive comes after Britain suffered its first Omicron death yesterday and No10 said vaccination centres will be open at later hours — and even jab people on Christmas Day — in an all-out bid to beat the virus.
- Milica Cosic
UK Monarch “always delivers”
A former member of the European Parliament has claimed that the Queen has shown true courage throughout these past couple of years.
Writing for the Express, Mr O’Flynn said: “An elected leader, who depends for his survival on keeping in with the voters, would normally be expected to have a greater understanding of the public mood than an unelected one.
“In Britain there have certainly been times when prime ministers have forcefully advised monarchs about what the public expects of them – the abdication crisis and the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana spring to mind.
“Yet right now it looks like the UK has a monarch who not only always delivers on her ceremonial duties but also has a more profound appreciation of what true leadership entails than does her prime minister.”
- Milica Cosic
Princess Anne 'has secret weapon'
According to a royal author, the popularity of Princess Anne may be linked to a trait she has taken after her beloved father Prince Philip.
Ian Lloyd, author of The Duke: A Life in 100 Chapters, told Express.co.uk: "Princess Anne is very, very popular.
"Whenever I meet people and talk about who is their favourite royal, somewhere there is a mention of Princess Anne in that.
"And a few years ago there was a poll on who could be Britain's president if it became a republic, and Princess Anne topped it.
"That was one poll, but I think people would like her as a president, I think partly because she is quite un-PC and like her father she is very forthright."
- Milica Cosic
Meghan & Harry spend Xmas with Queen virtually
A friend of Princess Diana has claimed that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may celebrate their Christmas "virtually" with the Royal Family.
When asked if The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would phone the Queen on Christmas, Stewart Pearce, Diana’s former vocal coach, told Royally Us: “I would imagine because they are both Harry and Meghan are extremely extrovert people.
"They will be really interested in sharing their Christmas in Los Angeles and also being part of the Sandringham Christmas."
- Milica Cosic
Queen's Xmas at risk
THE Queen may ‘CANCEL the Christmas Day walkabout amid fears it could become Omicron super spreader event’
Usually, thousands of royal fans gather to greet members of the Firm at Sandringham estate, Norfolk, during their annual December 25 stroll. Some fans even queue from the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of the royal clan.
Sources say that: "Of course everyone would love everything back to normal – but the situation is anything but."
Meanwhile, earlier this week, The Queen cancelled her family Christmas party over Covid fears.
Her Majesty said it was "with regret" the annual royal get-together would not be going ahead as planned, but claimed it was "the right thing to do".
Cases of the Omicron variant have been growing across the UK, and so going ahead with plans would, "put too many people's Christmas arrangements at risk if it went ahead".
- Milica Cosic
Xmas decision on Meg & Harry – only 'time will tell'
Royal expert has claimed that the Royal Family's Christmas plans will be subject to a "late decision", following speculation about whether or not Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will return to the UK.
The Daily Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers has questioned if The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would return to the UK to celebrate Christmas with the Queen.
He said: “I think it will be a fairly late decision because things are so fluid at the moment.
“Who knows what will be happening, so I don’t think it’s going to be anytime soon."
- Milica Cosic
Meghan under 'immense' pressure
A royal commentator has claimed that Meghan Markle is under "immense" pressure as Kate has landed a US magazine cover for her 40th birthday.
Daniela Elser highlighted how US magazine People has Kate on its cover this week ahead of her milestone birthday next month.
Ms Elser compared the number of appearances the Duchess of Cambridge has had on the front page of the publication in the past year to the Duchess of Sussex.
The royal commentator wrote for news.com.au and said: "Just in case anyone’s counting, this is the Duchess’ fourth-star turn on the front of the glossy entertainment magazine in the last 12 months, including her second solo outing.
"Here’s the kicker: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex? During one of the biggest years of her life including one in which she accused the royal house of institutional racism and ignoring her pleas for help when her mental health suffered, when she welcomed her second child and when she launched her post-Megxit career? Not a single cover of just her.
"(Meghan has appeared twice on covers with Harry, while he has notched up a further two covers without his wife.)
"While the cover of People is hardly the most precise of barometers of public standing and approval, what Kate’s continued appearance, and Meghan’s lack of star billing, casts a less-than-sparkling picture of the Sussexes’ Stateside campaign to establish themselves as dazzling public figures."
- Milica Cosic
Meghan causes searches for ‘brown wool coat’ to explode
Meghan Markle has caused searches for “brown wool coats” to explode by 376 percent.
Analysis of Google revealed that the number of searches for the term skyrocketed on December 18.
This follows just a day after the Duchess of Sussex was spotted wearing a Massimo Dutti brown wool coat while Christmas shopping in California.
A spokesperson for fashion firm Design Bundles said: “Every glimpse of Meghan Markle proves her to be an absolute fashion icon, even when stepping out for a hurried shopping trip, like so many other parents close to Christmas."
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