The 90-year-old monarch was due to take the train from London to King's Lynn this morning at the start of what was supposed to be her traditional Christmas break at Sandringham.

But about half-an-hour before she was due to leave, officials suddenly told assembled photographers: "It's not happening now."

A palace spokesman said: "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have heavy colds, and so have decided not to travel to Sandringham today."

The Royal Standard is still flying over Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty is still inside the building.

For many years The Queen has taken a scheduled service in a roped-off First Class carriage from King's Cross to Norfolk, paying a standard First Class return fare.

The sight of her arriving at King's Lynn heralds the start of Christmas for millions.

Police and station staff were out in force this morning at King's Cross and King's Lynn, waiting for the arrival of the royal party.

An earlier theory was that the trip had been cancelled amid heightened security in London in the wake of this week's Islamic State attack on a Berlin Christmas market which killed 12 and injured 48.

It was thought likely that the Queen and Prince Philip might have flown by helicopter to Sandringham instead.



But it has now been confirmed Her Majesty and her husband will not be travelling as they are both unwell.