The Queen is returning to Sandringham for a "mini-break" that will allow her to be "as close as possible" to her late husband Prince Philip on her birthday this week, it is understood. The monarch is reportedly expected to be joined by other members of the royal family to celebrate after she turns 96 on Thursday.
Despite cancelling or missing several high-profile engagements over recent months because of mobility problems, the Queen is believed to be planning on making the journey from Windsor Castle to her Sandringham estate in Norfolk. She will stay at Wood Farm, where Philip - the Duke of Edinburgh - lived following his retirement from royal duties in 2017, and will be visited by friends who live close by, The Mirror reports.
A royal source told The Mirror: “The Queen decided very recently that on her birthday she wanted to be as close as possible to her late husband and in an environment that was very close to both of their hearts. Sandringham holds so many special memories for the Queen and Prince Philip as well as the rest of the royal family.
“It’s certainly a positive step that Her Majesty is feeling well enough and rested to enjoy her upcoming mini-break which she thoroughly deserves to celebrate her birthday.”
Philip died at Windsor Castle aged 99 in April 2021. He and the Queen lived together at the Berkshire residence during the coronavirus pandemic, forming what was nicknamed 'HMS Bubble' with a select group of staff to keep themselves safe as a household.
Last week the Queen missed the Royal Maundy Thursday service and the Easter Sunday church service, both at St George’s chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle. It was the first time in more than 50 years that she has missed either event, and the first ever through illness.
She was last seen in public on March 29 at a memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh. On that occasion the Queen walked with the aid of a stick, held on to Prince Andrew for support and sat in a specially-cushioned chair inside Westminster Abbey.
