While Queen Elizabeth celebrates Christmas at Windsor Castle, her grandson, Prince William and her family, are celebrating the holiday 135 miles away, at their Anmer Hall cottage in Norfolk.
William and Kate Middleton’s Christmas plans probably changed after strict COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in much of England due to a new infectious coronavirus strain in the UK
Although there was no Christmas morning walk from the royal family to church on Friday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a personal message on social media, writing: “This Christmas, our thoughts are with those of you who are passing by today alone, those of you mourning the loss of a loved one and those of you on the front lines who are still gathering energy to put their own lives on hold and take care of the rest of us. “
“Wishing a Merry Christmas doesn’t look right this year, so instead, we wish for a better 2021. For those who struggle today, support is available,” they added before sharing a series of charities and mental health hotlines for those need.
This Christmas, our thoughts are with those of you who are passing today alone, those who are mourning the loss of a loved one and those of you on the front lines who are still gathering energy to put their own lives on hold to look after. the rest of us. pic.twitter.com/VvW3rV4fRz
– The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 25, 2020
After it was announced that Queen Elizabeth canceled the annual royal family holiday celebration at her property in Sandringham due to the pandemic going on earlier this month, it was speculated that the Cambridges would sound on the holiday with Kate Middleton’s family in Bucklebury, Berkshire. But Berkshire, where Mike and Carole Middleton live, and London, where Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, and her husband James Matthews live, are in the Tier 4 lockdown.
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Much of the UK is under Tier 4 blockade, which prohibits all families from mixing and staying out of the home. The travel ban has also been introduced, with no exit or entry from Level 4 regions.
William, Kate and their three children – Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5 and Prince Louis, 2 – have spent much of the pandemic at their Norfolk cottage, and are believed to remain there during the holiday season.
Kate considers herself more at home on the family’s farm, Anmer Hall. Set on the east coast of England, the Norfolk countryside offers a welcome retreat for the family.
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Whether in Norfolk or in the family’s London residence at Kensington Palace, Kate is “very quiet at home,” a friend told People. “It’s a normal, busy family home, with kids running around and dropping things. There are no airs and graces. “