The focus of the speech was the memory of her late husband Philip. The Prince Consort died in April at the age of 99. In the months that followed, she drew great consolation from the warmth and affection of many appreciations for the life and work of “my beloved Philip”, said the Queen during her address in the festively decorated White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle.
On a table next to her was a photo that showed the two of them at their diamond wedding in 2007. The queen, in the red dress, had put on the same brooch for her Christmas address as she had back then – she was already wearing it on her honeymoon in 1947.
Philip would like his family to enjoy Christmas, said the monarch. However, due to the pandemic, it was not possible to celebrate as usual this year. The little things and rituals are all the more important.
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The Queen, who had to struggle with health problems herself in the past few months, had cut her Christmas plans drastically in view of the drastic increase in infections with the Omicron variant in Great Britain.
Above all, the Queen was proud that Philip had been committed to environmental protection for a long time. A tradition that is continued by her son Prince Charles (73) and grandson Prince William (39). She also praised the role of their wives, Duchess Camilla (74) and Duchess Kate (39).
Not a word about Harry & Meghan
On the other hand, Prince Harry (37) and Duchess Meghan (40), who had renounced the royal family, were not mentioned. Also excluded from the speech was Prince Andrew (61), who has largely withdrawn from the public because of his involvement in the abuse scandal involving the deceased US multimillionaire Jeffrey Epstein. A civil case is currently pending against him in the USA, in which an Epstein victim accuses him of molesting her as a minor. Andrew denies that.
According to the palace, the Queen celebrated Christmas in a small circle with her sons Charles and Edward (57) and their partners. Prince William and his family spent the festive season with Kate’s parents at their Norfolk country estate.
Source: Nachrichten
