Queen Elizabeth usually stays in Balmoral for the summer until the middle of October. But, Buckingham Palace made a surprise announcement that Her Majesty is leaving her summer home earlier than planned on Monday, Sept. 14.
The Palace also said that, instead of moving to Buckingham Palace in London or Windsor Castle in the country, Queen Elizabeth will stay for a fortnight in Sandringham at Prince Philip's Wood Farm. According to reports, however, there is a financial reason behind this decision beyond the need to relax and have less pressures and protocols at the Duke of Edinburgh's five-bedroom house.
Royal expert Lizzie Robinson said that the early departure from Balmoral will allow the estate to open to the public. If the property is open, then it can earn money from the tourist visits.
While Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed in Balmoral, certain areas or public access were shut down to protect the elderly royals from the virus transmission. The Queen and her husband had to be strictly under a bubble so that they won't contract the deadly COVID-19.
ITV royal editor Chris Ship also said that Balmoral needs to open to the public so that the site can start earning money. Ship said that the Royal Collection Trust, which manages all of the Queen's estates, especially the tourist destinations, is in "urgent need" to start earning again.
It comes as reports that staff workers of the Royal Collection Trust organized a quiet protest amid reports that hundreds will lose their jobs in the next few weeks. With the lack of tourists due to COVID-19, the Queen's estates are currently not earning substantial profits that will help pay for these workers' salaries.
The report also added that pension cuts might be undertaken so that the Royal Collection Trust can still operate. The first ones who will be sacked are those with redundant jobs, sparking calls from the workers to consider their "loyalty" instead of letting them go.
Meanwhile, the pandemic crisis will likely prevent Queen Elizabeth from hosting her annual family Christmas celebration in Sandringham. With the rule of six now imposed across the U.K., social gatherings during the festive period will be restricted.
The Queen might also not be able to visit the church come Christmas day if the rule of six will still remain place. This means that the annual walk to the church featuring all of the members of the royal family will not happen. Buckingham Palace, however, said that the Queen's plans for Christmas have not yet been decided.
