Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will be spending Christmas in Windsor Castle this year, as households around the world prepare for the festivities.

The royal couple has been isolating at the castle during the UK's second lockdown to avoid the high-risk category of the virus in London.

Windsor Castle has been decorated with stunning decorations, including glittering fairy lights, a 20-foot tree topped with an angel, garlands, and more.

The Queen traditionally spends the festive season at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, joined by the rest of the royal family for Christmas dinner and a walk to church.

The Queen and Prince Philip may still be able to join some of the other royals, as the UK government is allowing up to three households to merge over the Christmas season.

However, Buckingham Palace is still discussing how this will happen and who will join them.

A royal expert has said that Christmas is something the Queen has always done with enormous genuine family style and is facing not doing so sadly.

However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their son will not be back in England for the festivities this year, as they are having their first American Christmas.

The Queen's annual Christmas Day speech, which is always broadcasted at three in the afternoon, will be eagerly awaited by the whole country.

Her wisdom and hopeful words will be especially appreciated after a turbulent year.

Visitors to Windsor Castle will be able to see the Christmas decorations from Thursday 3rd December.

The main attraction of the festive season is the 20-foot tree, filled with 3,000 lights and hundreds of glass, red, and gold mirrored ornaments.

This is located in St George's Hall, the largest room in the castle.

In addition to the huge tree, there are many other beautifully decorated trees spotted around the castle, including a gigantic tree in the inner hall.

Festive garlands adorn all the staircases.

Since Queen Victoria's reign, the tree for Windsor Castle has been cut down from the Great Park located in the grounds.

Every year, hundreds of sustainable trees are sold at Windsor Great Park.

The Queen has a tradition of handing out gifts to staff and long-term employees of the Crown.

However, she will not be able to do this in person this year, so the gifts will be sent via post.

Christmas may be different this year, but the Queen and Prince Philip will still celebrate in style at Windsor Castle.

The country eagerly awaits the Queen's message of hope and inspiration on Christmas Day, as we look forward to a brighter future.