the queen christmas message© Photo: Alamy

The sad reason the Queen refuses to take her Christmas decorations down until February

Her Majesty bucks tradition for a sad reason

Lifestyle Features Editor
Updated: December 29, 2021

This year marks the second time the Queen has shunned her Sandringham Christmas plans in favour of staying at Windsor Castle instead, but one thing that is likely to remain the same is Her Majesty's Christmas tradition.

READ: 10 times the royal family have opened up about grief

Each year, the Queen leaves her Christmas decorations up until 6 February, and there is a heartfelt reason behind her unusual decision.

The monarch keeps them up for an extra few weeks in order to mark the anniversary of her father's death.

WATCH: See Windsor Castle's fairytale Christmas tree

Disregarding the tradition of taking down Christmas trees before Twelfth Night, Her Majesty's festive trees and decorations remain up to mark the anniversary of King George VI's passing.

He died on 6 February 1952 at Sandringham House, and the Queen usually stays there each year to mark the anniversary in private before returning to Buckingham Palace. 

© Photo: Alamy

The Queen is said to keep her decorations up until 6 February

It is believed by many to be bad luck to keep decorations up past Twelfth Night (5 January), or Epiphany (6 January)  however it appears the Queen doesn't believe in these superstitions and has instead created her own traditions over the festive period. 

GALLERY: Royal Christmas decorations you need to see

© Photo: Alamy

The Queen spends Christmas at the Sandringham Estate

READ: The Queen's secret Christmas tree that's nothing like her public ones

And while her other residences at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are decked with huge Christmas trees and twinkling lights, the decorations at her Sandringham home are said to be much more understated.

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