Her Majesty the Queen moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 epidemic began. According to the Sunday Times (via the Daily Express), the Queen has not spent a night at Buckingham Palace since then and probably never will.

The Sunday Times reports that the Queen will not be returning to Buckingham Palace altogether; according to the Mirror, when the renovation work began, Her Majesty was only supposed to move temporarily from her private apartment in the palace. However, due to the pandemic and the Queen's deep love for Windsor, Windsor Castle will reportedly become her permanent residence.

"Windsor is a place the Queen loves," royal writer Hugo Vickers told The Sunday Times. 'She has memories of Prince Philip, she has ponies, she has family nearby. It makes sense."

Before his passing in April 2021, Prince Philip and the Queen spent the first year of the pandemic together in Windsor. These days, Her Majesty the Queen conducts numerous official engagements from Windsor, ranging from in-person meetings with dignitaries and government officials to virtual audiences.

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the royal family since 1837. Although the Queen will never again reside at Buckingham Palace, she will return to the palace for festivities such as the Platinum Jubilee, which will take place on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 2.

As for the Union Jack, which will be flown to indicate the monarch's absence from the palace, according to the Mirror, it will remain up permanently.