Queen flies to Sandringham ‘to mark anniversary of father George VI’s death’

The Queen has flown from Windsor Castle to Sandringham as part of an “emotional pilgrimage” to mark the anniversary of her father’s death, according to reports.

It is set to be the first time she has stayed in the country house in Norfolk since the death of Prince Philip on April 9 last year.

The 95-year-old normally hosts her family at Sandringham for Christmas.

However, she bucked tradition in 2021 by hosting festive celebrations at Windsor Castle as a precautionary measure following a surge in Covid-19 cases at the time.

The Mail on Sunday reported that the monarch has made the special pilgrimage to Sandringham to mark the anniversary of her father’s death and her accession to the Throne.

A source told the paper: “‘Everything is being put in order for the Queen’s visit.

“We’ve been told that she will stay at Wood Farm, rather than the main house, which is nice as that always had a special place in his heart.”

On February 6, the Queen’s reign will pass the historic milestone of 70 years and will herald the start of Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Her winter break normally ends some time after accession day on February 6 – the day her father George VI died in 1952.

The festive period was the Queen’s first Christmas without the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband of more than 73 years.

She has spent much of this year at Windsor Castle, where she and Philip had shielded throughout the lockdowns.

There were concerns for the Queen’s health late last year after she pulled out of several major engagements, spent a night in hospital and was ordered to rest by royal doctors.

The Queen was advised to carrying out light duties but also sprained her back, leading to her missing the Remembrance Sunday service.