The absence of Prince Philip and a nod to Lilibet: this was Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas speech

The traditional Christmas message from Elizabeth II This year was one of the most personal addresses of his long reign. At his first parties without the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April, remembered her husband and empathized with families who have lost a loved one.

At the age of 95, the British sovereign recorded several days ago at her residence in Windsor Castle the speech broadcast on the afternoon of December 25 by the main channels in the United Kingdom. Dressed in red, with a photograph of her and the Duke on the table, thanked the “warmth and affection” he has received in recent months.

“For me, in the months since the death of my beloved philipI have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work, from across the country, the Commonwealth, and the world. “

He proudly mentioned some of the contributions to the crown: “His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and ability to squeeze fun out of any situation were unstoppable. That mischievous and inquisitive glow was just as brilliant in the end as when I first saw it.”

“But life, of course, consists of both final farewells and first encounters; so much that my family and I miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas. We feel your presence while we, like millions around the world, were preparing for Christmas “, reflected the monarch.

Elizabeth II also celebrated the arrival of new members to the family, such as her great-granddaughter Lilibet Diana, the daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

“For me and my family, even with a lost family laugh this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we will have the opportunity to remember and see again the wonder of the holiday season through the eyes of our children. which we were delighted to welcome four more this year“Referring to the birth of Lilibet, Sienna Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice’s eldest daughter, her sister Princess Eugenie also gave birth, she had a boy named August Philip, and finally, Lucas Philip, son of Zara Tindall, offspring of the Princess Anna.

The British monarch assures that the new generations have much to offer: “They teach us all a lesson, like the Christmas story, that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with infinite potential,” he said.

The usual celebrations of the British royal family have been seen this year reduced due to the expansion of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Elizabeth II has chosen not to travel to her country residence at Sandringham, in the north of England, as is her custom, and has remained in Windsor, some 25 miles west of London.

He also did not attend the traditional mass in the Chapel of San Jorge. from his castle this morning, which was attended by his first-born, Prince Charles, and his wife Camila, who later shared the table with the queen.

Neither Prince William nor his brother Harry have been with the sovereign this year, who during the pandemic has greatly limited her social contacts and has spent long periods isolated in Windsor.

“Although the covid makes again that we cannot carry out the celebrations as we would have liked, we can still enjoy many happy traditions,” said the queen today, underlining that her family is a “great source of happiness” for her.

He also expressed his satisfaction at seeing “our own children and their families assume the roles, traditions and values ​​that mean so much to us, that are transmitted from generation to generation.”

Christmas ends a particularly complex year for the monarch. In addition to the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, at the age of 99, Elizabeth II has suffered health problems that have forced her to rest since November on medical advice.

Although the nature of her ailments has not been disclosed, the queen has canceled much of her public activity in recent weeks. In spite of everything, he has not completely suspended his schedule, he has continued to hold hearings by videoconference and has received some visits.