Royal Christmas Cancelled: Prince William, Kate Middleton To Stay Home For Festivities

After Queen Elizabeth II canceled traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham Estate, Prince William and Kate Middleton may also have to change their plans. Due to the new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the Cambridge family may not be able to reunite with the duchess’ family as well.

The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge along with their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — were initially thought to be joining the Middletons in their Bucklebury home in Berkshire for Christmas, the PEOPLE reported. However, the UK has gone under another strict lockdown as they announce the outbreak of a new coronavirus strain, which is more transmissible.

As per the report, Kate’s parents, Mike and Carole Middleton, and her sister Pippa live with her husband James Matthew in an area that is currently under Tier-4 lockdown. The new restrictions require everyone to stay at home for Christmas and not mingle with other households. In addition, there is a travel ban with no exit or entry from Tier 4 regions.

While there is still no confirmation from the Cambridge family about their Christmas plans, it is likely there will be no family reunion between Windsors and Middletons. It is thought that the family-of-five will continue to be in their Anmer Hall, Norfolk, home where they have spent much of the lockdown since March.

As for Norfolk, it is currently under the Tier 2 region with lighter restrictions. Under the current lockdown, the Tier 2 homes can mingle with two other households only on Christmas Day.

"The spread is being driven by the new variant of the virus. It appears to spread more easily and maybe up to 70% more transmissible than the earlier strain. This is now spreading very fast," the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said in a statement as quoted by CNN. "It is with a very heavy heart that I say we cannot continue with Christmas as planned."

As for the queen, she and her husband Prince Philip will be spending Christmas at Windsor Castle. This will be their first holiday season since 1987 at their Berkshire home.