QUEEN ELIZABETH II - QUEEN SCRAPS TRADITIONAL SANDRINGHAM CHRISTMAS

British monarch QUEEN ELIZABETH II will abandon the traditional festive royal gathering at her Sandringham residence next year (06), after bowing to pressure from her son PRINCE CHARLES and his children.

This Christmas (05) will be the last at the Norfolk, England house, after Charles and sons PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE HARRY professed a desire to reunite at Windsor Castle instead, which is nearer to their home.

The new meeting place will facilitate Christmas dates outside of the immediate royal family - allowing the young princes to spend time with their girlfriends.

A Buckingham Palace source explains, "It shows the Queen is happy to listen to the needs of her family. Some may see a big row here, but that is not the case."

Both William and Harry are planning to jet off to Switzerland and Africa respectively on 26 December (05) to join their partners on holiday.

Charles and new wife CAMILLA, DUCHESS OF CORNWALL, are expected to fly to Scotland before the New Year (06).