Why Did Queen Elizabeth II Cancel Annual Christmas Trip? The Reason The Royals Won’t Be Traveling

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which generally means it’s time for Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip to embark on their annual holiday trip. This year, however, the British royals decided to call off their getaway at the last minute.

According to People magazine, the queen and reigning Duke of Edinburgh canceled their Christmas travel plans just 30 minutes before they were scheduled to board a train to Sandringham, England. Photographers gathered at London station to snap pictures of the duo as they embarked on their more than three hour journey were told that it was “not happening.” It was later revealed that both the queen and Prince Charles had come down with ailments that would prevent them from going anywhere this Christmas.

“The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have heavy colds, and so have decided not to travel to Sandringham today,” a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The elder royals aren’t the only ones breaking with tradition this year. According to a report from The Mirror, Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William have decided to switch up their usual holiday plans. Rather than spend the holiday with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and the rest of the royal family, Kate, William and their two children intend to celebrate with the Duchess’ parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Prince Harry was expected to be joining his family in celebrating at the queen’s estate, though it is unclear what the royals plans are now that she and Prince Philip have decided not to go.

While both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge are breaking a major tradition this Christmas by not celebrating together in Sandringham, the royals are expected to maintain other traditions leading up to the holiday. On Dec. 16, People reported that Kate, William, Princess Charlotte and Prince George would most likely be in attendance at the royal family’s annual Christmas soccer game. The pair are also expected to join the family for their Boxing Day Pheasant Shoot on Dec. 26.

This is hardly the first time the Duchess and her hubby have decided to spend Christmas with her family. In 2012 — while Kate was still pregnant with their first child — the pair celebrated with Carole and Michael Middleton in their home. That was just one year after Kate celebrated her first Christmas with the royal family, which she was quite nervous about. Kate reflected on the 2011 celebration in March during an interview included in “Our Queen at Ninety.” She revealed that, at the time, she wasn’t sure what to gift the queen, so she decided to go with something homemade. Knowing full well that it “could have gone horribly wrong,” Kate decided to make her grandmother’s chutney for Queen Elizabeth II.

“I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table,” the Duchess of Cambridge said. “I think such a simple gesture went such a long way for me and I’ve noticed since she’s done that on lots of occasions and I think it just shows her thoughtfulness, really, and her care in looking after everybody.”