Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Queen moves nation as she tells of her anguish over loss of Philip
BY RUSSELL MYERS Royal Editor THE Queen moved the nation with a tribute to Prince Philip yesterday – saying his “mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him”.
In her first Christmas message since Philip died at 99, Her Majesty, 95, said “one familiar laugh” would be missing this year.
She told how her anguish had drawn her closer to those who also lost loved ones amid the pandemic.
The Queen 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.”
Millions who tuned in at 3pm witnessed the sovereign’s broadcast begin with footage from her heartwarming 1997 message in which she described Philip as “my strength and stay all these years”.
Yesterday, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor, she was shown at a desk with a photo of herself and Philip taken in 2007 to mark their 60th wedding anniversary. The pic recreated a tender image from their honeymoon in 1947.
On both of those occasions she wore a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which came to represent so many good times the couple spent together. And, fittingly, it was pinned on her red dress once more yesterday. The Queen remarked on how her darkest days were emboldened by the numerous tributes to Philip after he died – and how their loving bond stayed bright throughout 73 years of marriage.
She went on: “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.”
The Queen was yesterday joined by Prince Charles and Camilla, along with Prince Edward and Sophie. They all agreed to isolate from last week to ensure she was not alone at Christmas.
She spoke fondly of Charles and Camilla and Prince William and Kate – and hailed as “a source of great happiness” the way her heirs had embraced the challenge of climate change. Known to be in her element when she has any number of her 12 great-grandchildren by her side, the Queen remarked how the festive period is a time that “speaks to the child within us all”.
But, amid ongoing strained relationships, there was no mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, or Prince Andrew, who faces sex assault allegations in the US – which he strongly denies.
Looking ahead, the Queen said she hoped a year of celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee – which will begin on February 6 marking 70 years on the throne – would “be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness; a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last 70 years – social, scientific and cultural – and also to look ahead with confidence”.
A royal source said: “After an extraordinary year for so many, the Queen is hopeful of better times ahead for everyone.”
Mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at end as when I first saw him THE QUEEN MOVING TRIBUTE TO BELOVED HUSBAND PHILIP