‘Annus horribilis’ year In a dreadful decade

Death of a princess, divorce of her favourite second son and fire at Windsor Castle

The turbulent ’90s were the decade in which the Queen faced tragedy and division and divorce drove deep into the heart of her family.

It was the decade that would prove the most testing for the Queen.

In 1992 she was saddened by the official separation of her son Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the first of many tragedies. It was what she would call “annus horribilis”.

She used the expression in a speech at The Guildhall on November 24 1992, marking her ruby jubilee on the throne.

She said: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.”

The “sympathetic correspondent” was later revealed to be her former assistant private secretary Sir Edward Ford.

The unpleasant events that happened to the royal family in this year included ...

Separation of the Queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, from his wife, Sarah, Duchess of York (March 19) Divorce of the Queen’s daughter Anne, Princess Royal, from Captain Mark Phillips (April 23)

Death by suicide of her nephew Prince Albrecht of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (April 23)

Publication of Diana, Princess of Wales’s tell-all book Diana: Her True Story, revealing the problems in her marriage to the Queen’s eldest son Charles, Prince of Wales, particularly his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles (June 7)

Publication of photographs of the Duchess of York sunbathing topless with her friend John Bryan (August 20)

Publication of intimate conversations between Diana, the Princess of Wales, and James Gilbey from a tape recording of their phone calls (August 24)

Fire in Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences (November 20)

In August 1996 Charles and Diana divorced.

One year later, the unthinkable happened when on Sunday August 31 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris.

For perhaps the first time in her life, the masses were not on the Queen’s side.

Finally, on Friday September 5, the eve of Diana’s funeral – and at the urging then prime minister Tony Blair and Prince Charles – the Queen made a live broadcast from Buckingham Palace “as your Queen and as a grandmother”.

“I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being”.

The Queen continued:

“In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.”

The decade ended with the royal family’s standing with the public at an all time low, struggling to find widespread popularity.

‘1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure’

Queen Elizabeth II

(photo: Shutterstock)

WHENQUEENBOWEDTOPUBLICPRESSURE The Queen insisted that Diana’s ceremony be private, having faced resistance from Prince Charles and then Prime Minister Tony Blair. She was also criticised for her silence and “business as usual” approach. She then made a TV public address about Diana. She bowed to Diana’s coffin as it was carried into Westminster Abbey. (photo: PA)

A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP The Queen and Princess Diana were two powerful women and their relationship was complicated. To Diana she was her mother-in-law, substitute mum and meddling old woman. When Diana died the Queen’s initial response was criticised and she declared her feelings during a TV broadcast. Diana “inspired others with her warmth and kindness,” said The Queen.

Happy birtHday: The Queen Mother was 90 in 1990 (photo; PA)

Horrible year: Giving THAT speech at the Guildhall (photo: PA)