British royal clan marks Christmas holiday season
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth paid tribute to the late Prince Philip during her first Christmas television broadcast since the death of her husband of 73 years.
The 95-year-old monarch has said that although Christmas was “a time of great happiness and good cheer for many,” it “can be hard for those who have lost loved ones.”
“This year, especially, I understand why,” the Queen added.
The video message broadcast on Saturday opened with an excerpt of the queen’s speech in 1997 for the golden wedding anniversary with the Duke of Edinburgh. A photograph of the couple marking their 2007 diamond wedding anniversary was displayed on a table in front of the queen. In a nod to her husband, the monarch wore the same sapphire chrysanthemum brooch she was photographed with during her honeymoon with Philip in 1947.
The queen said that since the death of Prince Philip she has drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work from around the world.
“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 added.
The queen said that as much as the royal family misses Prince Philip, it knows he would want it to have a celebration, adding that thought COVID-19 again put a strain on the Christmas celebrations this year, there are still many festive traditions that can be treasured such as singing of carols, decorating the tree and the exchange of presents.
She added that passing of traditions is a “source of great happiness.”
The queen has canceled some of her Christmas plans this year because of COVID-19.
She did not travel to Sandringham for Christmas and will celebrate at Windsor Castle. The palace also canceled a preChristmas lunch the monarch typically hosts for extended family members.