Social media users question why Prince Philip didn’t join the Queen to sing carols at Windsor Castle

As the Royal Family enjoyed somewhat of a reunion this afternoon on the front steps of Windsor Castle, concerned fans took to social media to question why Prince Philip was absent.

The Queen gathered alongside Prince Charles and Camilla to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge back from their 1,250-mile ‘morale boosting’ tour of the UK – which attracted thinly veiled criticism from Wales and Scotland.  

But despite festivities happening on the doorstep of Windsor Castle, Prince Philip and the Queen’s current residence, Philip, 99, did not make an appearance.

The Queen, 94, was seen singing along quietly as a Salvation Army band played festive tunes, something social media users were surprised to see Prince Philip miss. 

One Twitter user by the name of Mr Ben wrote: ‘Pity not to see Prince Philip; I’m sure he would have liked to have seen the band.’

While another user tweeted: ‘But why is Prince Philip not present?’

Kayla Adams added: ‘Brilliant end to a fantastic trip! Sad not to see Prince Philip but lovely to see our royal family back together again.’

Prince Philip retired from royal duties in May 2017 but is often seen accompanying the Queen, today he did not appear despite the proximity to home. 

Another user questioned why on the first day of the UK’s coronavirus vaccine rollout that the Queen and Prince Philip weren’t busy being immunised. 

A Twitter user by the name of CoronaChronic wrote: ‘Why haven’t the Queen and Prince Philip had the vaccine? They are in the ‘at risk’ group right?’ 

Buckingham Palace has not released information on if or when the royals will receive the vaccine, although Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told NBC News’ Today show that he was ‘sure arrangements will be made according to the phased approach’ that he set out. 

He added that he was ‘not sure’ if the royals would be vaccinated on camera.     

Senior sources say both the 94-year-old Monarch and Prince Philip, 99, will not get preferential treatment, but will instead ‘wait in line’ during the first wave of injections reserved for the over-80s and care home residents.

Both are expected to accept the offer of the injection on the advice of their doctors.

Public health experts believe that if the couple go public about the jab, it could go a long way to combating misinformation spread by conspiracy theorists which, it’s feared, could lead to a substantial proportion of the population refusing the vaccine.