Queen Elizabeth II paid an emotional tribute to her “beloved Philip” in a deeply personal Christmas Day message after a year of great loss for her family and so many others.
Britain’s 95-year-old monarch, delivering her first annual holiday address to the nation since the death of Prince Philip in April, spoke about her late husband and reflected on what will be a bittersweet holiday for the royals and the world.
“Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,” she said in the televised speech recorded days earlier and penned by the queen herself.
“This year, especially, I understand why.”
The traditional holiday message took a more somber tone as the monarch marked her first festive period without her closest companion in life, but she also expressed hope and optimism for the new year ahead.
…
