ROYALS REUNITED
Queen finally reunites with Kate, William, Charles & Camilla for Royal Family’s first public outing together in 9 months
THE Queen has tonight finally reunited with Kate Middleton, Prince William, Charles and Camilla for the Royal Family's first public outing together in nine months.
The 94-year-old monarch was tonight joined by Charles, Camilla, Edward and Sophie and Princess Anne.
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Her Majesty appeared in good spirits as she met her family - the first time they have publicly been seen together since March this year.
Kate and William today joined the royal party after stepping off their train following a 1,250 mile tour of England, Scotland and Wales.
And they gathered with their family to thank local volunteers and key workers in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
In wintry conditions, the Queen stood on the steps of the Equerry's entrance in the castle's quadrangle and listened as the Regent Hall Band of the Salvation Army, who are based in London's Oxford Street, played Christmas carols.
Four small Christmas trees, two each side of the steps, were decorated with white lights.
The 94-year-old monarch was dressed in a vibrant red coat, matching hat and black gloves and carrying her trademark Launer handbag.
Kate had switched into a dark green coat with faux fur neckline for the special royal gathering.
The royal family remained socially distanced during the event.
Kate and Wills have been able to see the Queen privately during the pandemic, visiting the monarch at her home in Balmoral in the summer.
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However, this is the first time the royals have been able to gather for an official event together since lockdown.
During tonight's event, they will meet Commissioners Anthony and Gillian Cotterill the Territorial leaders of The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
The Queen was also expected to thank the Band and The Salvation Army for the work they are doing to help others during the pandemic and over Christmas.
The remaining royals will greet a number of local volunteers and key workers from organisations and charities in Berkshire, who will be volunteering or working to help others over the Christmas period.
Tonight caps off the Cambridge's whirlwind tour of Britain as they thanked keyworkers for their efforts in the fight against Covid.
The couple visited Scotland and Wales as well as towns in England including Bath today.
But Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething today took a swipe at the royal couple when asked about the whistle-stop tour.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'd rather that no-one was having unnecessary visits."
The minister added: "People have views about the monarchy. But their visit isn't an excuse for people to say they are confused about what they are being asked to do."
Mr Gething's thinly-veiled comments came after Nicola Sturgeon yesterday warned the pair could be breaching Covid restrictions.
And after initially saying the Cambridges' tour was a "matter for the palace", No 10 said Boris Johnson welcomed the "morale boost" it would provide.
A No 10 spokesman said: "The PM is delighted to see the warm reception the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have received on their hugely valuable train tour of England, Scotland and Wales.
"The tour will be a welcome morale boost to frontline workers who have done so much during the pandemic."
During the tour, Kate and Wills admitted they are struggling to plan their Christmas - saying "it's difficult to know what to do for the best".
It comes as the Queen revealed her Christmas plans last week - and announced she would be scrapping the usual family Christmas at Sandringham.
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She will spend the festive season with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle for the first time in 33 years.
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Her Majesty, 94, usually spends the festive season with her whole family at Sandringham but her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren make up 10 separate households.
This will be the first Christmas away from Sandringham since 1987.
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Kate Middleton and Prince William step out for final day of their train tour amid travel criticism
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