Queen lets train take the strain
THE train was the order of the day for the Queen yesterday as she took a scheduled service back to London at the end of her traditional winter break at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Wrapped up against the cold in a grey, striped coat and black gloves, the 92-year-old monarch boarded a Great Northern service from King’s Lynn to London King’s Cross.
Flanked by police bodyguards, she was escorted into King’s Lynn station through a side entrance before embarking on the one hour and 51 minute journey.
She was not joined on her journey by the Duke of Edinburgh, who is recovering from the stress of a recent car crash close to Sandringham on January 17.
Philip, 97, spends much of his time at Wood Farm on the 20,000-acre Sandringham estate since retiring from public engagements.
On Saturday, Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence.
Norfolk Police have passed on a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Officials are to consider whether to bring charges over the crash, which injured two women.
The Queen’s annual stay at Sandringham is never strictly a holiday.
Although she has fewer duties than in London, she still has to go through government papers in her red boxes every day apart from Christmas Day.
The Royal Standard was hoisted above Buckingham Palace as soon as she returned to her official London residence.
Her Majesty will begin her programme of official engagements in the capital again this week.