According to a source, Queen Elizabeth II has moved out of Buckingham Palace forever.
According to the Times of London, the 95-year-old British monarch, who has lived in the palace for the majority of her record-breaking 70-year reign, has decided to move permanently to her weekend home, Windsor Castle.
According to the newspaper, the decision was made partly due to the palace’s continuous “reservicing,” but also due to Elizabeth’s preference for the castle, where she spent her final days with late husband Prince Philip.
The UK Times quoted one of her pals, royal author and deputy lord lieutenant of Berkshire Hugo Vickers, as saying, “Windsor is the place she loves.”
“She has her memories of Prince Philip there, as well as her ponies and family.” It’s logical.”
The decision follows a string of health scares for the Queen, who saw Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on Monday for the first time since contracting COVID-19.
She also spent a night in the hospital in October for an undisclosed illness, curtailing her official responsibilities and resting on doctors’ orders.
She had moved to Windsor with Philip in what was supposed to be a temporary stretch during lockdown. Philip died in April, at age 99.
The Queen is closer to key family members there, however — including her scandal-scarred middle son, Prince Andrew, who lives with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson on the Windsor estate.
Her decision means her eldest son, Prince Charles, 73, will likely be the next resident of the palace when he becomes king, the paper noted.
Charles is also known to prefer his London home, Clarence House — but has conceded that the palace should remain “monarchy HQ” once he ascends to the throne, the UK Times said, noting his plans to also allow greater public access.
On Monday, the Queen, wearing a patterned dress, greeted Trudeau at Windsor Castle without the walking stick she has been using.
Although visibly frailer, she appeared smiling and laughing after the pair shook hands.
Her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, told members of the public on a royal visit last week that she was now feeling “a lot better.”