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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Megan Nisbet

Heartbreaking reason the Queen keeps her Christmas tree up until February

For most of us, the Christmas decorations come down soon after the festivities are over.

Tradition suggests that Twelfth Night is a good marker to get rid of the Christmas tree and put away the fairy lights.

This is because it's considered bad luck to keep them up - but in the royal household, things are quite different.

The Queen and Prince Philip reportedly keep their tree and decorations up for an extra month.

It isn't until February 6 that they are removed.

Many royal fans will know that the date is of huge significance, as it is when the Queen's father, King George VI, passed away at Sandringham House in 1952.

As well as keeping the decorations up, Her Majesty uses this time to reflect, and stays on the estate to "mark the anniversary in private" before returning to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen and her father reportedly shared a very close bond, and the Queen stays on at Sandringham every year until the anniversary of his death.

Meanwhile, the rest of the royals are announcing their first engagements of the year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Canada House this week to meet the High Commissioner to the UK and staff and to thank them for the "warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay".

Queen's Speech December 2019 in full

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spent Christmas with their baby son Archie in Canada.

The royals gave fans glimpses into their getaway with some gorgeous family photos on Instagram.

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