The Queen delivered an emotional message to the British public on the first Christmas Day since the passing of her husband Prince Philip.
She opened the address to the nation saying he had been her strength throughout all these years. She went on to say that he was someone who didn’t take easily to compliments, but ‘he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years.’
“And I and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.’
She said that although it’s a time of happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can also be hard for those who lost loved ones. She opened up about drawing great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work.
‘That mischievous inquiring twinkle was as bright at he end as when I first set eyes on him but, life of course consists of final parties as well as first meetings’ she said.
‘And as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas. We felt his presence as we, like many millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas.’
Elizabeth has herself not made any public appearances this year, a side-effect of the COVID pandemic. The broadcast itself was recorded last week but aired on nation television in the traditional 3:00pm time slot on Christmas Day on BBC One.
Prince Charles passed away back in April, after 73 years o marriage to the Queen. This year’s speech also occurred against the backdrop of many rumours and concerns about the health of Elizabeth herself.
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