The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend Christmas at Windsor Castle and not Sandringham for the first time in decades, Buckingham Palace has said.

There has been speculation about where the Queen and Philip would enjoy the festive period after Covid guidelines forced families to choose who to see during the holidays.

The Queen and her consort, who are both well into their 90s, may see some members of their family briefly in accordance with guidelines, but Christmas celebrations are likely to involve just the couple.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “Having considered all the appropriate advice, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”

The head of state and her consort have not spent a Christmas at the their Berkshire home since the mid 1980s.