Police began a murder investigation Tuesday after the body of a woman was discovered on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in Norfolk County, England.

(Photo: Reuters/David Moir)Britain's Queen Elizabeth arrives to the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland September 3, 2011.

Local police have said a civilian who found the woman’s remains while walking in the woods nearby alerted them on Sunday. The area was then sealed off by police for forensic investigation.

"It is a private residence, we cannot confirm whether or not the Queen has been informed or not," a spokesman for Buckingham Palace told CNN on the murder investigation.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip "are in residence at Sandringham from mid-December to the end of January,” the spokesman added.

Sandringham House, part of which is open to the public from April to November, is traditionally where the Royal Family celebrates Christmas. Since 1862, Sandringham has been the private estate of British monarchs. The Queen and family celebrated Christmas last week at the estate.

Prince Philip, 90, has been recovering at Sandringham since his release from hospital after having a coronary stent implant due to artery blockage.

The cause of death for the woman is still unknown. Police also did not mention how long the woman’s remains may have been at Sandringham, but said they would be looking into cold cases as part of the investigation, CNN reported. An autopsy will be conducted later on Tuesday.

 The Christian Post Daily Report 01.03.12