Patricia Earl’s resignation comes after staff reportedly refused to stay away from their families during Christmas in order to form a ‘Covid bubble’ with the Queen and Prince Philip at Sandringham for four weeks.

This means the Royals will have to celebrate Christmas at Windsor Castle, where they are now, for the first time in 33 years instead of the Norfolk country estate.

Ms Earl was embarrassed about the revolt, The Sun reports. Buckingham Palace has insisted her departure from the estate was ‘completely amicable’.

She worked as the head housekeeper for 14 years and received the Royal Victorian Order for her work in 2018.

She is expected to leave towards the end of this month and she did not want to comment on her position when asked.

The Queen and Price Philip usually spend Christmas at the Norfolk estate

Previously it was reported that the Queen was ‘furious’ over staff throwing royal Christmas plans into turmoil. The rebellion was said to involve cleaners, laundry and maintenance workers.

A source claimed at the time: ‘Everybody wants to stay loyal but they feel they’ve been pushed too far by being made to isolate from their families for Christmas.’