William and Kate wish for ‘a better 2021’ instead of a Merry Christmas
The royals are all spending Christmas separately this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they wanted to wish for ‘a better 2021’ rather than a Merry Christmas as they paid tribute to grieving families and frontline workers.
Prince William and Kate Middleton said the traditional festive greeting did not ‘feel right’ this year.
They tweeted pictures of people working through the festive season, adding: ‘This Christmas our thoughts are with those of you who are spending today alone, those of you who are mourning the loss of a loved one, and those of you on the frontline who are still mustering the energy to put your own lives on hold to look after the rest of us.
‘Wishing a merry Christmas doesn’t feel right this year, so instead we’re wishing for a better 2021. For those struggling today, there is support available: @GiveUsAShout @MindCharity @samaritans @theCALMzone @TheSilverLineUK @OurFrontlineUK @NHSCharities.’
Other royals wished the nation well as the family spends Christmas apart instead of gathering together at Sandringham.
Charles and Camilla posted a photograph with walking sticks in their hands at their Scottish retreat of Birkhall during the autumn.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are keen walkers and the countryside around their Aberdeenshire home offers them lots of opportunities to get out and about.
The couple, who are spending Christmas Day at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, wrote: ‘Wishing you all a happy Christmas and here’s to a better New Year!’
The royals’ plans were upheaved along with millions of other families up and down the country after Boris Johnson’s last-minute announcement that households would not be allowed to mix.
William and Kate were originally expected to visit the duchess’ parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where they would be joined by the her sister’s family, according to Mail on Sunday.
When Berkshire and London were put into tier three and Kate changed the venue to the royals’ house at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
But then Berkshire was plunged into tier four and the Middletons had to keep Christmas within their own household.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh announced at the beginning of December that they would have a quiet Christmas at Windsor.
The head of state and Prince Philip normally host their large family in Norfolk over the holidays and are watched by hundreds as they attend church on Christmas Day.
This year, the Queen is instead expected to attend a private Christmas Day service in a chapel within Windsor Castle to avoid large crowds of well-wishers gathering.
The Royal Family Twitter account, which has 4.3 million followers, wished the Queen’s cousin Princess Alexandra, who was 84 on Christmas Day, a very happy birthday.
It also tweeted a video of the St George’s Chapel choir singing in the Chapel, which is in the grounds of Windsor Castle, adding: ‘Wishing all our followers a very Merry Christmas!’
Increasing coronavirus infection rates that have led to many counties in the south-east and east of the country being moved to higher tiers and greater restrictions, have meant the royals will remain at their homes.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.