'Heavy cold' delays Queen's Christmas travel plans

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have postponed plans to travel to Sandringham for Christmas after falling ill.

Buckingham Palace says the couple have "heavy colds" and made the last-minute decision not to travel, reports the Daily Mirror.

The couple traditionally head to their country estate around this time and reside there until early February, making the journey by train.

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Police were already out in force at King's Cross in London and King's Lynn station in Norfolk, but were told to stand down minutes before the royal couple's expected arrival for the 10.44am train out of the capital, the Daily Mail says.

Several hours later, the palace confirmed the Queen and Prince Philip were unwell. They are still expected to make it to Sandringham in time for Christmas, however.

Earlier this week, the 90-year-old monarch announced she was to step down as patron of 25 national organisations and be replaced by other members of the royal family.

That move "is likely to be seen as a common-sense decision" given her age, The Guardian says, adding that she remains patron of some 600 other organisations.

The Queen and Prince Philip, 95, hosted their annual Christmas lunch for relatives at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.