Queen Elizabeth II Cancels Annual Family Christmas Party Amid Recent COVID-19 Spikes

Queen Elizabeth II got quite the scare on Christmas!

By The Duchess of Cambridge didn't miss a note.By Here's what you need to know.By The pair have been best friends for over 20 years.By More from GlamourSee More Stories© 2021 Condé Nast. All rights reserved.

An armed man was arrested Christmas morning on the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating the holidays.

While Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas celebration may have looked different from years past, one tradition endured — her annual Christmas Day televised speech.

A man has been arrested for attempting to break into Windsor Castle on Christmas Day.The suspect, who was allegedly carrying an offensive weapon, is currently being held in police custody. It's understood the man did not manage to break into any of the building inside the castle grounds.The Queen and members of the Royal Family are currently at Windsor Castle celebrating Christmas – the first of which following Prince Philip's death earlier this year.

Queen Elizabeth delivered her most personal and emotional Christmas Day speech yet, just months after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Philip.

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.

Honoring her late husband. In the first look at her annual Christmas speech, Queen Elizabeth II pays tribute to Prince Philip, who died in April at 99.

Christmas Day message to the nation this year after Buckingham Palace released a photo of the monarch recording the speech alongside a picture of her and her husband, who died earlier this year.The image provided by the palace showed the queen in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, with a framed photograph of Elizabeth and Prince Philip arm in arm in the foreground.

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 II is moving forward with plans to honor her late husband, Prince Philip. The 95-year-old reigning British monarch has agreed to hold a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday.

Making it work. Queen Elizabeth II canceled her traditional Christmas trip to Sandringham, but she’ll still get to spend some time with the royal family.

Princess Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, has tested positive for COVID-19. A Buckingham Palace spokesman tells ET, “Princess Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence has tested positive for Covid and is following all appropriate rules. Princess Anne is also isolating.”

A regular granny. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the British monarchy, but she still loves to spend quality time with her many great-grandkids.

Christmas at the royal Sandringham estate in eastern England amid concerns about the fast-spreading omicron variant.The palace said Monday that the 95-year-old queen will spend the holidays at Windsor Castle, west of London, where she has stayed for most of the pandemic.Other members of the royal family are expected to visit over the Christmas period, with precautions taken against spreading the virus.Coronavirus infections are surging in Britain — up 60% in a week — as omicron replaced delta as

'Operation Omicron' is now underway at Buckingham Palace to ensure The Queen is not alone at Christmas, an insider says.The monarch could be without some of her nearest and dearest if her plans to spend the festive season at Sandringham are cancelled. After her decision to scrap next week's traditional pre-Christmas dinner for up to 50 family members due to soaring Covid cases, sources have previously said that 'all plans are under consideration' - including her annual trip to Norfolk.

Queen Elizabeth reportedly has a small circle of close pals and is 'very chatty' with those who she really trusts. Her Majesty, 95, has been spending more time with her close confidants and family since the passing of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, back in April.