During a press brief yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced families will now only be able to spend 24 hours together on Christmas Day only as cases of the deadly virus continue to rise.
He said: “We must, I’m afraid, look again at Christmas.
“As Prime Minister, it’s my duty to take difficult decisions and do what is right to protect the people of this country.
“Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus, it is with a heavy heart that we cannot continue with Christmas as planned.
“In England, those living in Tier 4 areas, should not mix with anyone outside their household at Christmas.”
But before his announcing, the Duchess of Cornwall said families would have to find the “safest way” to celebrates the festive season.
Camilla made the comments after her annual Christmas tree decorating event with children and families supported by Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice.
When asked how her Christmas plans were going to pan out, Camilla replied: “Well I don’t really know.
“They are changing things every day.
READ MORE: Punters crowd outside pubs HOURS after Boris puts capital in Tier 4
“Even if it is just meeting up outside or in the garden.
“We’ve got to talk to our families, it’s just a question of trying to find the safest way to do it.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual tree decorating event was held via video link.
And Camilla expressed disappointment the children were unable to take part in the decorating event.
She said: “Usually, I like having you all here, it’s very exciting getting everybody in and having lunch and seeing the Christmas tree.
“But like many things this year, it’s gone by the by.
“So we are doing the best here, with these screens, that we can.”
About Helen and Douglas House hospice, Camilla said: “They are an incredible lot there, aren’t they?
“It’s so important to have someone at the end of the line you can call 24 hours a day.
“They just look after all these children so well.
“I always notice when I go in the atmosphere is very uplifting.
“It’s a very happy atmosphere.”
The hospice was opened in 1982 and provides medical, emotional and practical support for families who have a child who will die prematurely.
The Duchess also arranged for the children to receive a Buckingham Palace gift goody bag including a toy corgi, a guardsman Christmas decoration, a crown-topped pencil, stickers and a book by Charlie Mackesy.
