Christmas Has Officially Begun! The Queen Kicks Off Her Annual Train Ride to Sandringham

Queen Elizabeth II is feeling the holiday spirit! After hosting her annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, the British monarch embarked on her yearly train ride to Sandringham, where she will spend Christmas with the royal family. On Thursday, the queen took a train from London King's Cross (commandeering a first class carriage, of course) to King's Lynn, Norfolk. Elizabeth appeared in good spirits as she flashed a sweet smile and bundled up in a brown coat and scarf.

Every year, the royal family travels to Sandringham Estate for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the brood gets together for afternoon tea in the White Drawing Room, opens gifts, and ends the night with a black-tie dinner and drinks. The queen is apparently a big fan of a cocktail called the Zaza, which is made from Dubonnet and gin. The following day, the family gets up early and attends a 9 a.m. service at the church of St Mary Magdalene. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Prince William are all expected to attend; however, this Christmas is extra special for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as it marks their first Christmas as husband and wife. We wonder if the queen has anything special planned for them!