The Duke of Edinburgh has returned to Windsor Castle from Sandringham, just days before a new period of lockdown is set to begin in England.
Prince Philip, who is 99, had been living at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in recent weeks while the Queen returned to royal duties, basing herself at Windsor. Her Majesty travelled to Norfolk in the last days of October to see her husband and the couple have now moved to Windsor where they will spend the month long lockdown in what’s know as ‘HMS Bubble’.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent the first lockdown together at Windsor before travelling to Balmoral for their traditional summer break there. They then spent some time at Sandringham before the Queen took up residence again at Windsor.
Their decision to base themselves at the Castle as this new lockdown approaches means they will celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary together. However, it has cast doubt on whether the traditional royal Christmas at Sandringham will go ahead as usual. The new set of restrictions in the UK is set to run until the first days of December although a government minister has already hinted they might last longer.
The new rules mean that people can only leave their homes for specific reasons, including going to work or for education or to buy essential supplies. No confirmation has been given over where other members of the Royal Family will base themselves during this new lockdown.
