Five myths about the Queen answered – from tax exemption to driving without a licence

If there’s one thing that Christmas is like for the Royals, it’s traditional. From being weighed before they begin the celebrations at Sandringham to opening their presents on Christmas Eve, the festive season for the royal family is full of traditions that many of us would consider weird or wacky.

Queen Elizabeth has made a touching tribute to her late husband Prince Philip during her Christmas Day speech.The 95 year old monarch, who was not seen at church on Christmas Day, recalled her husband's "mischievous, enquiring twinkle" in the pre-recorded speech. Queen Elizabeth's husband Prince Philip passed away age 99 in April this year, which means this Christmas is the Queen's first without her beloved husband by her side for 73 years.

The Queen shared her sympathies for "those who have lost loved ones" as she marked her first Christmas since Prince Philip's death. In her annual address, the 95 year old Monarch paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh, who died at the age of 99 in April this year.

The Queen namechecked Prince Charles and Prince William in her Christmas Day address – but made no mention of the Duke of Cambridge’s brother, Prince Harry. Queen Elizabeth’s 2021 speech saw her pay tribute to her “beloved” Prince Philip, remembering his “mischievous, enquiring twinkle” and commending his “sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation”.

Queen Elizabeth II is paying tribute to her late husband, Prince Philip, this Christmas.In a first look at the Queen's Christmas Day speech, the 95-year-old monarch was seen wearing the sapphire chrysanthemum brooch that she wore for a photocall on her honeymoon in 1947.

The Queen has paid a touching tribute to her late husband Prince Philip in her Christmas Day message by wearing the same sapphire brooch that she wore during their honeymoon in 1947. Her Majesty, 95, who is facing her first Christmas without the late Duke of Edinburgh after 73 years of marriage, is spending another year at Windsor Castle after measures have been taken due to concerns of the spread of the omicron variant of coronavirus.

Queen Elizabeth, much like Kate Middleton, usually prefers to do her own makeup for the most part of the year.The only exception is her annual Christmas Day broadcast, when she apparently asks makeup artist Marilyn Widdess for expert help. With COVID-19 cases on the rise, and the possibility of restrictions being imposed last-minute, does this mean the Queen will have to do her own makeup for her 2021 speech? We asked royal author Duncan Larcombe for his take on the situation.

From greeting diplomats to accepting flowers from schoolchildren and the little matter of acting as Head Of State, The Queen is bewilderingly busy for a 95-year-old. But while Her Majesty may be known for her golden rule 'never complain, never explain', it seems an equally fitting phrase would be 'work hard, play hard.' Something you may not know about Queen Elizabeth is her fondness for a cocktail.

Princess Anne's husband Sir Timothy Laurence has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19.The Queen's Christmas plans have been thrown into further chaos as it is now unlikely the 95 year old monarch will spend the festive day with her daughter. According to MailOnline, the 66-year-old retired Royal Navy Vice Admiral sent out emails on Monday to those he had been in close contact with that he had tested positive for the virus.

Her Majesty the Queen is gearing up to spend the second Christmas in a row at Windsor Castle. Due to the pandemic, the monarch has taken the decision to downsize her Christmas plans.

The Queen is said to have missed church on Sunday 19 December to try and avoid the coronavirus from ruining her Christmas plans. Queen Elizabeth, 95, is said to have cancelled her routine Sunday service commitments on the Windsor Castle estate to avoid the risk of becoming infected with the deadly virus.The monarch, who's grandson Prince William is said to have "cut all socialising" so he can spend Christmas with her, is said to have opted to "cut down" on her social interactions, too.

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Nothing kicks off the festive season like curling up in front of your favourite Christmas movie. With the season in full swing, most households have already reached for the remote and flicked on a festive favourite this December.

Mike Tindall has revealed the royal children sit away from the adults during the Queen's annual Christmas lunch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II hosts a festive event for the family days before Christmas Day, which sees members of The Firm enjoy quality time together in Buckingham Palace each year.

Kate Middleton has shared the Christmas present she gave the Queen back in 2011, which could've "gone horribly wrong".The 39 year old, who was recently left in hysterics as Alan Carr unveiled his body transformation at the Royal Variety, opened up on her unusual gift on an ITV documentary about the Queen's 90th birthday.The Duchess of Cambridge explained that during her first Christmas as Sandringham 10 years ago, Kate decided to make Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 95, a jar of chutney.

Prince Harry once shared the sweet and unusual gift his grandmother the Queen got for his son Archie, two, last year.The 37 year old, who recently prompted a wave of Brits to quit their jobs, made the revelation during an interview with James Corden on his Late Late Show that aired in February 2021.The gift – which her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bought and shipped to Harry and 40 year old Meghan Markle's home in Los Angeles after the former actress suggested it – left James baffled.

The Queen has already shared her royal Christmas pudding recipe with her people this year, but the palace isn’t done yet. In the season of goodwill, Her Majesty’s pastry chefs have revealed yet another festive bake for us to try at home.

Kate Middleton appeared to make a heartfelt tribute to the Queen during her latest appearance.The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, was the picture of festivities as she donned a red coat dress by designer Catherine Walker for the Together at Christmas carol service on Wednesday. Organised with her husband Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, also 39, the royal couple delivered a truly festive evening as they hosted the event, which was attended by various invitees and celebrities.