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Queen Elizabeth Honors Late Husband Prince Philip in Touching Christmas Speech
In this year's Christmas speech, Queen Elizabeth paid tribute to her late husband, Prince Philip, through heartfelt details.
The Queen, sitting behind a desk in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, shared a new photograph released by Buckingham Palace ahead of the Christmas Day broadcast.
Unlike previous years, where she displayed multiple pictures of her family, the monarch's desk featured a single-frame photograph of her and Prince Philip.
This poignant gesture served as a tender reminder of her husband of 73 years, whom she famously described as her strength and stay.
The photograph holds special significance as it was taken in Broadshire, Hampshire, to commemorate the couple's diamond wedding anniversary in 2007.
Broadlands, the home of Philip's uncle Lord Mountbatten, was also where the newlyweds spent their honeymoon in November 1947.
The Queen and Prince Philip were married for an incredible 73 years before his passing in April of this year.
The special frame photo was not the only nod to her husband in this year's Christmas address.
The Queen chose to wear a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which holds sentimental value.
Her Majesty first debuted the stunning brooch during their honeymoon and again during the diamond wedding anniversary photos.
In the new image from her Christmas Day speech, the Queen is seen wearing the same brooch pinned to a red embossed wool shift dress.
Completing her look with a set of pearls, the monarch exuded elegance, thanks to the craftsmanship of her official dressmaker and personal assistant, Angela Kelly.
Known for her privacy, Queen Elizabeth has only touched upon her devastating loss on a few occasions since the passing of Prince Philip.
She has also allowed Buckingham Palace to release a small number of cherished images of the Prince.
This year's Christmas message follows the Duke's passing in April, which was marked by the Queen's poignant presence at St George's Chapel for his funeral service, where she sat alone, clad in a black mask, due to Covid restrictions.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, recalling the moment, shared his emotional memory of the Queen's personal example during the service.
He mentioned how she insisted on talking to distant cousins who had come from afar before resting, showcasing her selflessness and generosity.
The Archbishop expressed his admiration for the Queen's extraordinary gift to the world, particularly during times of crisis, highlighting her humor, resilience, and unwavering focus on others.
On Christmas Day, the Queen is expected to be joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Windsor Castle, as she postponed her customary trip to Sandringham as a precautionary measure amidst rising Covid cases.
The Sun reported that she will also be joined by 20 family members, including the Duke of York and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex, as well as five of her great-grandchildren.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas in Norfolk, accompanied by some members of the Middleton family.
The Queen's Christmas speech marks the end of a year filled with both joy and immense sadness for the royal family.
She welcomed four new great-grandchildren, August, Lucas, Lilibet, and Sienna, while also dealing with the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The interview included allegations of racism within the royal institution.
Additionally, the Duke of York faced allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of s**ually assaulting her when she was a teenager.
Prince Andrew has consistently denied all claims.
Last year, the Queen's Christmas broadcast conveyed a heartfelt message of hope, praising the indomitable spirit of those who faced the challenges of the pandemic.
This year, she is expected to emphasize unity and express gratitude to all those who have contributed to keeping Britain going.
The Queen's address will be broadcast on multiple channels at 3 pm on Christmas Day, allowing the nation to come together and find solace in her words.
