Thread by @MetroUK

Merry Christmas one and all!

It’s the big day but don't worry we won’t leave you hanging, we’re here to round up the biggest stories from the past 7 days!

trib.al/nbK3HGR

First up, Omicrimbo, the Covid-19 variant first discovered in Africa, has made a big impact on the UK’s number of daily infections which passed 100,000 earlier this week.

Good news arrived when two studies found it leads to significantly less severe disease, but health experts warn that we are not out of the woods yet.

At Number 10, the Prime Minister has fumbled his way through another week, sending mixed messages about what people should do to safely celebrate Christmas.

Leaked pictures released this week showed the Prime Minister engaging in a post-meeting chat with his aides and wife Carrie Johnson, during last year’s lockdown and he looks set to ride out this Christmas.

Over to Europe now, where other leaders are striking a more serious tone during the festive season, several European countries announced harsh lockdown measures to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands have all introduced serious measures that effectively cancelled Christmas, and closer to home, Nicola Sturgeon has ordered events with large amounts of spectators to close their doors.

Back to Blighty now, where the Royal Family has been in the news this week amid speculation on how they will spend the festive season.

The Queen will have a stripped-back service at Windsor this year, instead of going all out at Buckingham Palace, it will be her first Christmas without her husband Prince Phillip for over 70 years.

Prince Charles will be in attendance with his wife Camilla, across the pond Meghan Markle shared the first picture of newborn daughter Lilibet, who is eighth in line to the throne.

In lighter news, a hastily put-together Christmas attraction in a provincial industrial estate leaving parents fuming is truly one of the great British Christmas traditions.

This year we were treated to some absolute corkers, Winter Funland in Manchester is a prime example, customers complained of overpriced tickets, lacklustre food options, and a laissez-faire approach to decorations.

And isn’t that what Christmas is really about? We thank you dear reader and wish you a very Merry Christmas from all of us at Metro.co.uk!

Read the full version of ICYMI in the link below!👇

trib.al/nbK3HGR