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Queen ‘determined to host family Christmas’ at Sandringham despite health scare

The Queen, Sandringham, and Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry all arriving at the royal estate in Norfolk
The Queen believes a Christmas family gathering will be the ‘perfect tonic’ after a tough year, according to insiders (Picture: PA)

The Queen is ‘totally committed’ to hosting Christmas at Sandringham once she has rested up as advised by doctors.

Having missed out on celebrating with the family last year during the family, she’s determined to have them at her Norfolk home, according to insiders.

Last week it was revealed the Queen, 95, spent a night at London’s King Edward VII´s Hospital – her first in eight years – to undergo medical tests.

The monarch pulled out of a trip to Northern Ireland at the last minute – her first cancelled royal duty in 15 years – and is no longer attending the COP26 summit as planned.

On Friday she was advised by doctors to rest for a further two weeks and undertake only ‘desk-based duties’, but she is keen to make a speedy recovery in time for Christmas.

The monarch believes hosting a festive family gathering at Sandringham will be ‘the perfect tonic’ after an unsettled year of cancelled engagements due to Covid-19.

Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion. Picture date: Tuesday October 12, 2021.
The 95-year-old monarch spent her first night in hospital in eight years last week (Picture: PA)
The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cambridge arriving to attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Queen didn’t get the chance to spend time with family last Christmas (Picture: PA)

A royal insider told the Mirror: ’This year, more than ever, it is incredibly important to Her Majesty to be surrounded by her loved ones.

‘The Queen is totally committed to hosting everyone as she hopes to make it back to full health in the coming weeks.’ 

‘After being forced to cancel a host of engagements, the family get-together will be the perfect tonic.’

This Christmas will be the Queen’s first since her husband of 73 years Prince Philip died in April, so spending it with loved ones will be all the more significant.

It could also be her first opportunity to meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to pay a visit to the UK.

As the head of state awaits test results, Boris Johnson said she was ‘on very good form’ during their weekly conversation earlier this week.

Sandringham House, country home of Queen Elizabeth 2nd, Norfolk
The Queen traditionally hosts a family get-together at her Norfolk home of Sandringham at Christmas (Picture: Getty Images)
 Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry Christmas Day church service, Sandringham, Norfolk, UK - 25 Dec 2018
This Christmas could also be a chance for the Queen to finally meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Visiting Rome for a G20 summit, he said: ‘She has been told by her doctors that she has got to rest and I think we have got to respect that and understand that and everybody wishes her all the very best.’

While the Queen will have to miss an number of big events in the coming weeks, she says she has the ‘firm intention’ to attend a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in London on November 14.

In a statement earlier this week, Buckingham Palace said: ‘Following on from their recent advice that the Queen should rest for a few days, Her Majesty’s doctors have advised that she should continue to rest for at least the next two weeks.

‘The doctors have advised that Her Majesty can continue to undertake light, desk-based duties during this time, including some virtual audiences [the receiving of ambassadors], but not to undertake any official visits.

‘Her Majesty regrets that this means she will be unable to attend the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday November 13.

‘However, it remains The Queen’s firm intention to be present for the National Service of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on November 14.’

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