The Queen reunites with grandson Prince William and the rest of the Royal family for the first time since March

The Queen reunites with her loved ones for Christmas carol concert

Queen Elizabeth II talks with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle to meet and thank members of the Salvation Army and local volunteers and key workers from organisations and charities in Berkshire, for the work they are doing to help others during the pandemic and over Christmas.
(Image credit: Glyn Kirk/PA Wire/PA Images)

The Queen has reunited with Prince William and Kate and five other members of the Royal family for the first time since March as they gathered for a special Christmas Carol Concert at Windsor Castle.

Her majesty, 94, has been shielding during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and like many families across the country, has not been able to meet up with her close family until now.

Elizabeth II wore a red jacket and matching hat as she stood on the steps in the grounds, with members of the royal family stood a socially distanced 2m away from her and each other.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had returned from their 1,250 whistle-stop Royal Rail Tour of Britain where they met up with key workers to thank them for their services during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Queen was joined by their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Princess Royal to welcome a number of local volunteers and key workers from organisations and charities in Berkshire, who will be volunteering or working to help others during Christmas.

A Salvation Army band played festive tunes as three generations of royals enjoyed a Christmas carol performance - with the monarch mouthing the words quietly.

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Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill, from the Salvation Army, spoke to the Queen. Mr Cotterill said, "The Queen was saying she was just so happy we were able to play some carols because she thinks this will be the only time she'll be able to hear carols, and she was disappointed we didn't sing.

"Sometimes we're playing musicians and other times we're a choir, at an event like this it's better to have the band as you can hear it for miles."

It's understood Prince William said "Bye gran" as his grandmother turned to walk up the steps and back inside her home, to possibly rejoin her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, who was notably missing from the gathering.

Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 15 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.