Christmas trip to the Sandringham Estate this year, opting instead for Her Majesty to remain at Windsor Castle.

Although Buckingham Palace is expected to make an official announcement re: the queen’s plans within the next 48 hours, she’s already set a precedent by canceling her usual pre-Christmas lunch with the family. As COVID cases rise once again across England, there’s reason to suspect the queen might take similar precautions by staying put.

And yet, according to The Mirror, the queen is determined to share in the usual festivities at Sandringham, especially given that this is the family’s first Christmas without the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, who passed away in April. Out of an abundance of caution, Her Majesty skipped her usual Sunday church service this week and, if the Sandringham plans do proceed, is expected to close the grounds around the estate, where onlookers typically watch the family make their annual Dec. 25 walkabout.

A source told The Mirror, “The Queen and the rest of the family are mindful the situation is ever changing and many thousands of families may also be affected. A decision on whether the Queen travels as planned will be made as soon as possible. If alternative arrangements need to be made, right up to the last minute as per government advice, Her Majesty will lead from the front.”

Rest assured: If the queen does stay at Windsor Castle for the holiday, her family is expected to visit her so she won’t spend it alone.

This post will be updated.