Queen to acknowledge ‘bumpy path’ during Christmas Day speech

Call for ‘long-held differences’ to be settled after a particularly toxic year for the nation and the royal family

The Queen will acknowledge the “bumpy” path the royal family and the nation has experienced over the past 12 months in her Christmas Day message.

During 2019, the Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a dramatic car accident, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke about their struggles living in the public eye and the Duke of York gave a disastrous television interview about his friendship with a convicted sex offender.

The toxic mood of the public debate around Brexit has continued throughout the past 12 months, with the issue bitterly dividing the country and parliament, leading to uncertainty.

But the Queen will comment on how “small steps taken in faith and in hope” can be significant, and ultimately break down “long-held differences”.

The head of state will also highlight the 75th anniversary of the Second

World War D-Day landings, and how former “sworn enemies” joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone in 2019.

In her Christmas Day broadcast to the nation and the Commonwealth, the Queen – speaking about the life of Jesus and the importance of reconciliation – will say: “...how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding...

“The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.”

The Queen’s comment is thought to be her first public reference to the personal events her family has experienced this year.

Commentators may interpret the Queen’s words as indicating the past year may be one she would rather forget, like 1992 which she dubbed her “annus horribilis” after the marriages of three of her children collapsed.

In that year the Princess Royal divorced, the Duke and Duchess of York separated as did the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Windsor Castle went up in flames.

During the past 12 months, the most significant and damaging event for the monarchy was Andrew’s appearance on the BBC’s Newsnight programme which has left his reputation in tatters.

The path... is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference. THE QUEEN

Picture: PA. The Queen records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Berkshire.