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Queen's Norfolk home, Sandringham House, reopens: How well do you know the royal residences?

UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 24: Sandringham house (19th century), architect Albert Jenkins Humbert (1822-1877), country residence of the British royal family, Sandringham, Norfolk, United Kingdom. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)
Sandringham house is the country residence of the British royal family in Norfolk. (Getty Images)

The idyllic country pile where the Queen spends her Christmas break is reopening to the public after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sandringham House, in Norfolk, is where the Royal Family gathers every December for the festive season, and is also where Prince Philip has lived since he retired.

The wider estate includes Anmer Hall, which is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been spending lockdown with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Royal residences usually open to the public for tours had to close during the national lockdown, but they are slowly reopening, with social distancing guidelines in place.

General view of Anmer Hall on the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Recent newspaper reports suggest that the Queen will gift Anmer Hall situated in Anmer village to the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date Monday January 7th 2013. See PA Story. Photo credit should read Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Anmer Hall is where William and Kate live when not in London. (PA Wire)
SANDRINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 12:  Prince Andrew, Duke of York greets guests at a garden party in honour of his mother Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee at the Queen's Sandringham Estate on June 12, 2012 in Norfolk, England.  (Photo by Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
A garden party in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in Sandringham in 2012. (Getty Images)

Read more: Take a peek around Prince William and Kate's London home as Kensington Palace reopens

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Although the state rooms at Buckingham Palace will not open this summer, the royal mews will be able to accommodate visitors, and tours will begin again at Windsor Castle, where the Queen is currently living.

The Royal Collection Trust, which manages the royal households and artefacts, makes most of its money from the summer openings of the palaces. It’s forecast to lose some £30m this year and will have to implement job cuts to weather the storm.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s London home is also to be reopened to the public. Run by Historic Royal Palaces, guests can tour the King’s and Queen’s state apartments, once home to royals including William III and Mary II, as well as Queen Caroline.

Queen Elizabeth II inspects a newborn foal at Sandringham Stud. (BBC/PA Images)
Queen Elizabeth II inspects a newborn foal at Sandringham Stud. (BBC/PA Images)
The library at royal residence Sandringham. (Country Life)
The library at royal residence Sandringham. (Country Life)

Read more: Queen's royal homes to reopen within weeks as staff braced for job cuts

Visitors at Sandringham House and Gardens will have to book their tickets online, to help maintain social distancing, though it’s possible to stay in the gardens until they close at 5pm.

The cafe and the food kiosk are only open for takeaway, and the shop will be limited to 10 people at once, using a one out one in system.

Sandringham House staff will be implementing additional cleaning and there are hand sanitising stations in place.

Staff will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

The house will be open to visitors from 6 August.

As the homes begin to reopen, test your knowledge on the royal residences.