Queen's Christmas address pays tribute to 'beloved' husband

The Queen has paid tribute to her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh in her Christmas address to the Commonwealth.

Speaking from White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the Monarch said: “Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why.

“But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work – from around the country, the Commonwealth and 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 95-year-old was wearing a red dress and a brooch she had worn on honeymoon with Prince Philip, sitting next to a photo of the couple taken in 2007. 

The Sovereign talked about how the family felt his presence whilst preparing for this year’s festivities. 

“We felt his presence as we, like millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas. While Covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions. 

The environment has been a big topic of conversation again this year, with the Queen referencing the duke’s early work in her speech. 

“Prince Philip was always mindful of this sense of passing the baton.  That’s why he created The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which offers young people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond the chance of exploration and adventure. It remains an astonishing success, grounded in his faith in the future.

“He was also an early champion of taking seriously our stewardship of the environment; and I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William - admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine - most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow.”

Looking ahead to 2022, the monarch talked of her Platinum Jubilee year as well as the Commonwealth Games, taking place in Birmingham. 

“I hope will be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness; a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last seventy years - social, scientific and cultural - and also to look ahead with confidence” 

The Queen also spoke of the four royal births this year, with Princess Eugenie, Prince Harry & Meghan, Princess Beatrice and Pippa Middleton all welcoming children this year. 

Concluding the address, “We have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year.

“They teach us all a lesson - just as the Christmas story does - that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.

“I wish you all a very happy Christmas.”