The Queen set to return to Sandringham cottage for the first time since Prince Philip’s death—here’s why the trip will be so poignant

The Queen will return to Sandringham and stay in Prince Philip’s favourite cottage for the first time since the Duke of Edinburgh tragically passed last year, after her Christmas trip was scuppered by the global pandemic.

• The Monarch will make a special trip to Sandringham to mark the anniversary of her father’s death.
• It is thought she will stay in the Wood Farm cottage, as opposed to the main house, which was always Prince Philip’s favourite place.
• In other Royal News, The Queen believed Kate Middleton 'needed a job' before marrying Prince William.

The Queen’s upcoming visit to Sandringham House is set to be special for two very poignant reasons.

Staff at the Sandringham Estate are said to be preparing for the Queen’s arrival, as she plans on marking the anniversary of her father’s death at Sandringham, the place that he died.

It is tradition for the Queen’s Christmas decorations to remain up until February 6, a poignant day in the Queen’s calendar as it’s the day her father died in 1952, which marked her early ascending to the throne.

Those closest to the Monarch believe this is the reason she insists on the Christmas decorations remaining up until this day. 

With February 6 looming, the Queen is preparing to travel to Sandringham for the second time without Prince Philip following his death last year. 

But staff have confirmed she won’t be staying in the house. Instead, she’ll stay in Prince Philip’s favourite bolthole, the cottage. 

“Everything is being put in order for the Queen's visit,” an insider told Mail on Sunday. “We've been told that she will stay at Wood Farm, rather than the main house, which is nice as that always had a special place in his heart.”

After retiring in August 2017, the Duke of Edinburgh used to enjoy whiling away the hours in Wood Cottage, where he and the Queen used to act like a “normal couple”.

Although there was lots of speculation as to why the Queen and Prince Philip didn't live together, the Duke was said to enjoy reading history books, biographies, painting watercolours and many other heartwarming daily habits at Wood Farm.