The new Omicron variant in Europe, changed the plans of Queen Elizabeth
The new Omicron variant in Europe changed the plans of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. His plans had to be canceled for the new variant. Now he is going to enjoy Christmas with his son, Prince Charles and his wife Camila.
To prevent the wave of infections, he decided to stay at Windsor Castle, outside London, instead of traveling to Sandringham, as he is used to every year.
In addition, she canceled the traditional Christmas lunch, in which she is the host and the guests are all members of the royal family. In this event, around 50 people gather.
Although the facilities at Windsor Castle are extensive, it would be difficult to maintain distances, without being able to carry out the activity outdoors, since the temperatures will not exceed six degrees Celsius.
This year was going to be very important for the royal family, since they would all be together. A moment to be enjoyed at the Sandringham Christmas Mass on December 25th.
This meeting had them excited because in 2021 the queen has returned to become a great-grandmother four times. It would be a special occasion to meet three of his new great-grandchildren.
The tradition of the Christmas dinner
Many of the customs are respected in the castle; Christmas dinner is one of them.
The Queen and her husband used to move for a few days to Sandringham, this is their royal residence in the country in Norfolk. In this place, they used to receive their whole family for the big dinner on Christmas Eve.
However, this year is the first dinner without the company of her husband Felipe de Edimburgo (who died at the age of 99, on April 9). He was in charge of planning a very important activity in the family, the exchange of cheap, funny and daring gifts.
Like every year, the most important dish at dinner will be turkey. Usually three are prepared, each stuffed with chestnuts (or sage) and onion, covered in bread and blueberry sauce.
It will be accompanied by mashed potatoes, gourmet cheese and bacon. In addition to Brussels sprouts, carrots and roasted parsnips.
The dessert of this very special night is the Christmas pudding. It is a Christmas pudding made with currants, fruit peels, raisins, sultanas, beer, brown sugar, brandy sauce, and dark rum.
The food manager
For 15 years they had a real chef, named Darren McGrady, who assured that it is the same food every year. He assured in an interview that Isabel II "loves chocolate"; always preferring dark chocolate.
The guests at this Christmas dinner must take off their shoes and then weigh themselves on a scale. In this type of royal celebrations, the guests are asked to weigh themselves before and after eating.
This tradition is to ensure that everyone has been well-fed. It is a tradition that originated in the early 20th century, when King Edward VII was on the throne.