Queen Elizabeth II has been known to celebrate the Christmas season at the Sandringham Estate. Every year, the monarch goes to her Norfolk home where she hosts the annual Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations for the members of the Royal Family.
Several publications previously noted that they all have traditions to follow upon attending the Queen's invite. These include the opening of gifts during tea time and the church service that they all visit on the morning of Christmas.
While the celebration for the season has been grand and massive, the case is reportedly different during New Year's Eve. As revealed, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the last day of the year in a "quiet" manner.
According to Mirror UK, Prince Philip's wife typically sends an invitation to all members of the Royal Family. Although everyone is welcome, the individuals who usually accept the invite are the ones who are not able to come during Christmas Day.
It was not stated, however, whether the celebration is formal or not. Even so, Queen Elizabeth II was said to be the first person to go to bed.
The Queen's former Private Secretary, William Heseltine, stated that "nobody felt" that it was right to leave the party before the monarch. Hence, they would all wait for her first.
Furthermore, the Queen, along with the attending members of the royal family, would attend a church service on the first day of the year. Afterward, the royals would spend a "relaxing afternoon." In the past, Queen Elizabeth II also enjoyed a quick horse riding after the service.
While the attending members would go home to their respective households, the Queen, along with Prince Philip, usually stays until February in the estate. The reason being is that she reportedly waits for the death anniversary of her father "rather than" being back in Buckingham Palace to witness the date.
But, as of today, Prince Philip is already retired. So, it is only Queen Elizabeth II who returns to the palace to continue her duties as the head of the monarchy.
On another note, recent reports from Express UK also revealed that Kate Middleton and Prince William did not attend the Queen's invitation. As it happened, the Cambridge household went instead at the Middleton's to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Although some individuals contended that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge "snubbed" Queen Elizabeth II on the said event, it was cleared out that they had the monarch's blessing.
