Even without his laugh there will still be joy
Royal Family makes sure monarch is not alone
THE Queen used her Christmas message to pay a touching tribute to Prince Philip, reflecting on how his familiar laugh was missing from her family gathering.
In her most heartfelt speech since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death in April at the age of 99, the monarch revealed how their loving bond was as strong at the end of their 73 years of marriage as at the start.
The Queen told millions of viewers: “His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible.
“That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.
“But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.
Lost
“We felt his presence as we, like millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas.”
The Queen, who has 12 great-grandchildren, also remarked how the festive period is a time that “speaks to the child within us all”.
She said: “Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.
“And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year. They teach us all a lesson just as the Christmas story does – that in the birth of a child there is a new dawn with endless potential.”
But after a year marred by personal grief, the Queen revealed her anguish had drawn her closer to those who also lost loved ones amid the pandemic.
She said: “Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand
why.” The Queen decided to cancel her traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham, Norfolk, because of surging Covid rates across the country.
Senior royals including Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, who yesterday joined the Queen at Windsor Castle, all isolated from last week to ensure they did not catch the virus and be forced to leave Her Majesty alone.
Millions who tuned in at 3pm yesterday saw the 95-year-old sovereign’s Christmas broadcast begin with footage from 1997 and a heartwarming speech she made describing Philip as “my strength and stay all these years”.
The Queen sat behind a desk at Windsor adorned with a solitary photograph of herself and Philip taken in 2007 to mark their 60th wedding anniversary, recreating a tender image from their honeymoon in 1947.
Painting a familiar portrait of Christmas for many families, the Queen said her loved ones also enjoyed typical traditions such as “the singing of carols (as long as the tune is well known); decorating the tree; giving and receiving presents; or watching a favourite film where we already know the ending.”
Her Majesty spoke fondly of her eldest son Charles, his wife Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for carrying on the traditions with their own families, as well as her heirs embracing the challenge of climate change.
But there was no reference during the nine-minute broadcast to her middle son Prince Andrew nor the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the trio having stepped back from royal duties.
Fresh
There was, however, mention of Lilibet, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter, as one of four greatgrandchildren born in 2021.
Her Majesty complimented Prince Philip’s astonishing success in creating the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which has given millions of young people in the UK and the Commonwealth the chance of exploration and adventure.
The Queen spoke of her excitement for next summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
And she said she hoped a year of celebrations for her record-breaking Platinum Jubilee – which will begin on February 6 when she will mark 70 years on the throne – would be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness.
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