Queen Elizabeth II
She commemorates Prince Philip with a touching homage
Queen Elizabeth II commemorates Prince Philip in her Christmas address in 2021.
© imago images / ZUMA Press / Victoria Jones
Touching homage to Prince Philip: Queen Elizabeth II remembers her deceased husband in her annual Christmas address.
The Christmas address by Queen Elizabeth II (95) is traditionally broadcast on Christmas Day. The first photo of the monarch during her speech has now been published. As usual, the Queen is sitting at a table, a festively decorated Christmas tree can be seen in the background. The 95-year-old is usually surrounded by her family when she is addressed – in the form of framed photos that are spread out on the table. This year there is only one picture there.
The photo shows her with her husband Prince Philip (1921-2021), who died in April at the age of 99. The two look at each other smilingly in the photo, Queen Elizabeth II has hooked up with Prince Philip. The picture was taken back in 2007 for the diamond wedding of the two.
However, the photo is not the only touching homage to Philip: Queen Elizabeth II wears the same sapphire brooch in the shape of a chrysanthemum on her red dress that she had lit on the framed photo for her diamond wedding. She wore the brooch on her honeymoon in 1947 as well. For Queen Elizabeth II it is the first Christmas without her beloved husband.
How will Queen Elizabeth II celebrate Christmas?
The corona pandemic has put a stop to her planning for the Christmas party again this year. So the monarch will stay at Windsor Castle instead of spending the festive season in the country at Sandringham.
The 95-year-old will also only celebrate in a small group. Only “a hard core” of royals is expected at the celebrations, including Prince William (39) and Duchess Kate (39) as well as Prince Charles (73) and Duchess Camilla (74), as experts recently reported “The Sun”. Instead of the usual 30 people, the Queen will not have more than 15 family members with her “Corona-safe” Christmas party.