Queen set to talk of ‘bumpy’ path for 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 “longheld differences”.
The Head of State will also highlight the 75th anniversary of the Second World War DDay landings, and how former “sworn enemies” joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone in 2019.
The news comes as the Duke of Edinburgh is being looked after “very well” in hospital, his oldest son the Prince of Wales has said.
Prince Philip has been in the King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London since Friday for treatment relating to a “pre-existing condition”. The Duke’s planned admission to the private central London hospital, which has been treating members of the Royal Family for decades, was described as a “precautionary measure” by Buckingham Palace.
During a visit to flood-hit communities in South Yorkshire yesterday, Charles was asked about his father’s health by a reporter.
“He’s being looked after very well in hospital,” Charles replied.
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”.
She will add: “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 her 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.
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.
This year’s message, produced by the BBC, was recorded in Windsor Castle’s green drawing room after the General Election but before Philip was admitted to a private London hospital for treatment for a pre-existing but undisclosed condition.
The Queen is filmed sitting at a desk featuring photographs of her family with a large Christmas tree in the background. One photo shows the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children perched around a motorbike and side car.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have paid tribute to NHS staff and other public servants working over the festive season. Mr Johnson urged people to enjoy the next few days, adding: “Try not to have too many arguments with the in-laws – or anyone else.”
In contrast, Mr Corbyn, in what is due to be his last Christmas message as Labour leader, reflected on his election defeat while expressing his hope for a “better world”.