This pandemic might be the longest time Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have lived together in the same house. Ordinarily, the Duke of Edinburgh prefers to live in Wood Farm in Sandringham than join Queen Elizabeth at her official residence.
Ever since the 99-year-old royal retired from public office in 2017, Prince Philip apparently spent just "handful of nights" in Buckingham Palace. But, he also spent a considerable amount of time apart from his wife when he was still an active working royal.
According to reports, Prince Philip always took his time to be without his wife at Wood Farm because it's his chance to be out of the royal spotlight. Life in his Sandringham home, also, comes with little restrictions and royal protocols and the duke needed this kind of break from time to time.
The Queen understands that her husband also made a lot of sacrifices when she assumed the throne so she relents when he wants some time apart. Sources said that this is a mutual understanding between the two elderly royals in their 72 years as a married couple.
At Wood Farm, the Duke of Edinburgh reads, paints and entertains friends or family members. He loves the peace and tranquillity in his estate that he won't, otherwise, enjoy in London.
The public health crisis, however, changed all that. Prince Philip had to isolate with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Castle for close to five months to ensure their protection from the virus.
By early August, Her Majesty and her husband moved to Balmoral for their summer time with family. This year's activities, however, were scaled down and limited as the royals were asked to socially distance from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
More than a month after their move to Balmoral, Queen Elizabeth decided to return to Windsor Castle earlier than scheduled. However, the royal couple will reportedly make a stop at Sandringham and stay at Wood Farm for a few more nights before Her Majesty does her official business and return to her new normal.
According to royal expert Richard Kay, living in this five-bedroom house is miles different from the Queen's palaces and it's a break in royal traditions. Here, the Queen might even spend some time in the kitchen and live like a normal couple with her husband. It brings back memories of their time as a newly-married couple and then Princess Elizabeth had no idea of the major responsibility she would soon have over her shoulders.
