Queen's staff rebel over plans to make them self-isolate from families over Christmas

Royal staff members have reacted strongly to orders from the palace that have them leave their families and work in a 'COVID bubble' for the Queen over Christmas.

Members of the royal staff have spoken out about the measures according to The Sun, saying that they are unwilling to isolate from loved ones for four weeks.

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The reaction comes after staff were asked to provide extra support for the Queen during her traditional Sandringham break over Christmas, which would mean that more of them would be unable to spend time with their family over the holiday period.

Staff are also required to isolate and take a COVID-19 test every week prior to their shifts.

It is rumoured that 20 royal staff members, including cleaners, laundry and maintenance workers are among those pushing back on the orders.

Working for the Queen over Christmas would mean isolating from any other people, including friends and family, meaning that putting in the extra hours over the holidays require an unprecedented degree of isolation.

This isn't the only aspect of palace life that COVID-19 has changed, with Prince Phillip now "being made" to return to Windsor Castle with the Queen due to a lack of staff.

Since retiring, the Duke of Edinburgh, now 99, has lived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, 130km away from Windsor Castle.

During the COVID-19 lockdown period, Philip joined the Queen in Windsor to self-isolate, and the couple recently travelled to Balmoral for their annual summer break.