The Queen has proudly displayed a photo of her ‘beloved’ Prince Philip and donned a sapphire brooch she wore on her honeymoon in 1947 and again for her diamond wedding anniversary during her Christmas Day speech.
Facing her first festive season without her husband of 73 years, Her Majesty, 95, presented a ‘particularly personal’ address to the nation – paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh and saying his ‘mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him’.
In today’s message – broadcast at 3pm on both BBC1 and ITV – the monarch described there being ‘one familiar laugh missing’ this Christmas as she made her most fulsome public tribute to the nation’s longest-serving consort since his death in April aged 99.
The Queen sat behind a desk adorned with a only a single photograph of herself and Prince Philip, taken in 2007 to mark their 60th wedding anniversary as she spoke to the nation from the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle.
Her Christmas red Angela Kelly dress featured the chrysanthemum bracelet, which was set with platinum and sapphires. This brooch she chose to wear on her honeymoon with Philip, Broadlands, Hampshire. To mark Philip and her 60th and 73rd marriage anniversaries, she had worn the accessory.
She also spoke highly of Charles and Camilla her youngest sons, and William and Kate’s climate activism. Just a tacit mention was made to Lilibet Diana, Harry and Meghan’s daughter, as one of four great-grandchildren born this year.
‘Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,’ the Queen said. ‘This year, especially, I understand why.’
The monarch said of Philip: ‘His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible.’

Today’s Christmas Day message featured a poignant tribute from the Queen to her beloved Prince Philip. The queen sat alongside a picture of Philip (pictured). She wore the sapphire-chrysanthemum brooch that she wore on her jacket in a photo to commemorate her 73rd marriage anniversary with Philip last November.

The framed photo was captured in 2007 at Broadlands country house in Hampshire to mark their diamond wedding anniversary. Because her beloved Papa noticed that the color of the Queen’s daughter’s eyes matched his cornflower blue gems (which are said to be a signify purity, love and wisdom), the queen has been captivated by sapphires all her life.

Broadlands was the place where the royal couple honeymooned in 1947. The Queen is also wearing this same brooch for her Christmas message.
Because of her father, the Queen’s passion for sapphires has been a lifetime experience.
Throughout her life, King George VI often gave the gift of sapphires to his eldest daughter – from a bracelet for her 18th birthday in 1944 to a brooch in the shape of a flower basket to mark the birth of her first child, Charles, in 1948.
George VI’s suite of sapphires was a gift she gave to her for her wedding in 1947. She loved it so much, that she made a matching bracelet and tiara.
It prompted Noel Coward to write of a film premiere: ‘The Queen looked luminously lovely and was wearing the largest sapphires I have ever seen.’
Today, the suite of sapphires is reserved for what the Queen calls ‘big dressing’ for formal occasions such as State Banquets, while the necklace and earrings are a firm favourite for family occasions.
Other precious gems in her priceless collection include Prince Albert’s sapphire brooch, given to Queen Victoria on the eve of their wedding in 1840 and worn by every queen since, and a sapphire brooch left to her by Queen Mary that once belonged to the Empress Marie of Russia, mother of the murdered Tsar Nicholas II.
Following a period of health problems, the 95-year-old monarch was not seen publicly since October.
She recorded her message in Windsor Castle’s White Drawing Room. Also included was one framed photo of Philip taken at Broadlands in Hampshire in 2007 to commemorate their diamond wedding anniversary. The couple had spent their honeymoon there in 1947.
The Queen was photographed in an embossed wool shiftdress with a Christmas red lining by Angela Kelly, her senior assistant, and a sapphire-chrysanthemum brooch that she wore during many key moments in her happy and long relationship with Philip.
It was worn by Elizabeth, then the Princess of Wales, for her first photocall while on honeymoon. She also wore it at their diamond wedding celebrations.
The Queen, a private and sensitive woman, has only touched on her tragic loss on a few occasions. She lost Philip in April at the young age of 99. Buckingham Palace has been granted permission to publish a few treasured photographs of Philip.
But today’s message – broadcast at 3pm on both BBC1 and ITV – was her most intimate yet.
In her address today, the Queen said of Prince Philip: ‘That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.
“But life has its final parts as well as the first meeting. And as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.’

One of the images broadcast today showed the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at one of their ‘happy places’ – the Coyles of Muick hills close to Balmoral, where they enjoyed walking and picnics throughout their long lives together. She is so fondly attached to the area that her new corgi named after it. Their daughter-in law, the Countess Of Wessex took this special photo in 2003 on one of their family’s summer holidays.

An intensely private woman, the Queen has touched upon her devastating loss on a handful of occasions since Philip’s death

Buckingham Palace has permission to publish a few treasured photos of the queen.

‘Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,’ the Queen said. ‘This year, especially, I understand why’
The Covid variant also had an impact on the Queen, who cancelled her Sandringham trip in order to spend Christmas with Windsor. Clarence House announces that Charles and Camilla joined her on this day.
‘While Covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions,’ the head of state said.
‘I am sure someone somewhere today will remark that Christmas is a time for children. It’s an engaging truth, but only half the story. Perhaps it’s truer to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all.
‘Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.
‘And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as 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.’
Also, the Queen hinted that the possibility of reunions with family and friends in 2015 was possible.
‘February, just six weeks from now, will see the start of my Platinum Jubilee year, which I hope will be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness… and also to look ahead with confidence,’ she said. ’I wish you all a very happy Christmas.’
The Queen did not mention Andrew, Harry, or Meghan but she did praise Charles, Camilla and William during her Christmas Day message.
The House of Windsor was plunged into its most severe crisis since arguably Princess Diana’s death in 1997 after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit royal duties last year.
During their Oprah Winfrey interview Harry and Meghan made several bombshell claims against the Royal Family.
Accusations of racism forced the Queen to pointedly claim that ‘recollections may vary’ as she issued an unprecedented plea to deal with their issues privately as a family.
Though it is thought that Her Majesty has invited the couple to a service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh’s life, concerns remain over Harry’s forthcoming ‘tell-all’ memoir – due to be published next autumn after the Platinum Jubilee.
Meanwhile, the Queen’s middle son Andrew stepped out of the public spotlight over questions about his friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein’s ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell, who is on trial in New York accused of sex trafficking. These allegations were denied by the Queen’s middle son Andrew.
The Duke of York is fighting a US Civil lawsuit that alleges Virginia Roberts, Epstein’s trafficking victim, was forced to have sexual relations with Epstein on three occasions.
Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied Miss Roberts’s claims, and his lawyers are trying to get the case thrown out.

Children at The Royal School, Windsor, who made 100 white and gold stars to decorate the Christmas tree that features in The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast, hanging them on their school tree after the recording until the end of term when they took them home as presents for their parents and carers

The Central Band of the Royal British Legion performs during the broadcast on the grounds of Windsor Castle

Singology Community Choir performs for broadcast at St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle
A 1952 broadcast on radio, to today’s TV production. How the Queen’s Speech has evolved over time
British Christmas traditions are anchored on the Queen’s Christmas message.
Each year the monarch commemorates Christmas Day with a broadcast address to her subjects at 3pm ET on the Dot.
This tradition started in 1932, when Queen Victoria’s grandfather King George V used radio to address subjects.
Sir John Reith was the BBC’s founder, and convinced him to go. He believed an address from the Sovereign would be a great way to kickstart the Empire Service, which became the BBC World Service.
Radio was still quite new at the time. The King initially doubted the suitability to address a person, but he soon fell in love with the possibility to converse with his subjects.
First address received live from the British Empire via General Post Offices that were connected to British shortwave transmitters.
For the broadcast, 3:00pm was selected to ensure that as many Empire residents could tune in.
This address by King George was first for many subjects to have such access to the Sovereign.
The British favored addresses during World War Two because George V’s son King George VI used radio addresses as a way to lift the spirits of the war-weary nation.

1952: Months after the death of her father, King George VI, a 26-year-old Queen Elizabeth took on the daunting task of delivering the Christmas speech from Sandringham, pictured
The 26-year old Queen rose to the throne on the 22nd of May 1952. She used her first broadcast to express gratitude to Britain and ask them to pray for her before she was coronated the next year.
The Queen, dressed in a traditional suit, sat behind Sandringham’s desk, Norfolk. There, equipment was set up for recording her radio message.
This address came several months after her premature death and was the most significant of her life, since the speech she gave on her 21st Birthday in South Africa radio broadcasts.
Her speech also included greetings for British personnel serving abroad.

1957: After the 1952 broadcast on television of her coronation (which was broadcast by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh), the Queen decided to broadcast the Christmas message via radio and TV for the first-ever time.
Christmas Messages were first televised in 1957 when the Queen continued her coronation with royal events broadcast live on TV.
The broadcast was used by her to show pictures of her children: Prince Charles, young, and Princess Anne at Sandringham.
The broadcast was only delivered lines once, and later the producer said the queen was an natural with a microphone.

1967: The Queen’s Christmas Speech was televised in color ten years later in 1957.
The Queen’s Christmas broadcast aired in color 10 years later.
She stated, “Modern communication makes it possible for us to communicate in our homes. I wish you a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.”
While these technologies of television and radio are very modern, the Christmas message remains timeless.
Buckingham Palace recorded the speech, but the framed photos that still draw much interest and symbolism in today’s setting were not as present in 1957.
In her speech, Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute Canada’s Centenary of Confederation.

1971: Queen Elizabeth with her sons Prince Andrew (11 years old) and Prince Edward (7 years), looking through a photo album of their family. She was delivering a Christmas message that focused on families.
In 1971, Queen Elizabeth focused on her family, inviting her two youngest children, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward to go through a photobook together.
It was the only broadcast that featured other royals and it was focused on the topic of family.
This was a rare occasion for young princes, as members of the Royal Family are usually kept private until their adolescence.

1975: As the Queen wraps up, she heads into Buckingham Palace’s gardens for her first broadcast outdoors in 1975
The 1975 speech, which was a departure from what was usual, was broadcast outside Buckingham Palace’s gardens. It was the first outdoor recording of the speech.
For the cold, grey winter day that awaited her, she wrapped up warmly in a heavy jacket.
Under Harold Wilson, the UK’s prime minister, it was an unprecedented year for inflation and unemployment. And worldwide, which was referred to by The Queen.
She stated that she was horrified at the brutality and senseless violence and, above all, by the threat posed by inflation, the terrifying sickness of today’s world.
“Then Christmas arrives, and we are again reminded of the importance and value of people, and our connection with each other.

2006: The Queen took a break to film her message in Southwark Cathedral. She met with children at Southwark Cathedral who were making a nativity collage.
In another break with tradition, the 2006 Christmas Message was filmed at Southwark Cathedral
The speech was recorded outside of the Royal Residence for the first time.
As she met the children at the cathedral’s nativity collagogue, Queen Elizabeth wore a bright green skirt suit.
In her address, the monarch thanked her audience for the “very generous response” to her 80th birthday.
She also met children who were working on a nativity collage as part of the break from royal residences.

1997: The Queen’s address in 1997 was overshadowed by the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in August of that year, an event she acknowledged at the outset of her festive speech
Diana Princess of Wales died in August 1997 and overshadowed the Queen’s address of 1997.
It was a difficult time for the Sovereign to be criticized in the months that followed Diana’s tragic death.
The Queen then acknowledged again her grief at Diana’s death by quoting a William Blake poem on the intertwining joy and sadness.
Her comments also included the observation that this year wasn’t just sad, as Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.

2002: Queen Elizabeth II used 2002 to remember her sister Princess Margaret and her mother Queen Elizabeth. She also marked the close of her Golden Jubilee Year.
Five years later, the theme of Queen’s grief was used in the 2002 Christmas Message.
This year saw the deaths of Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, her mother.
Like 1997, also the Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee.
She spoke out to express her sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones this year.

2017: Meghan Markle, the new fiancee of Prince Harry was welcomed into the Royal Family by Queen Elizabeth. This frame shows the photo of the actress.
In 2017, the Queen celebrated the 60th anniversary her first broadcast. She used this occasion to welcome a new member into the Royal Family.
In her welcome to Prince Harry’s new fiancée, Meghan, the Queen displayed a frame photo from their engagement shoot alongside some family photographs.
Sky News recorded the annual address. The 1844 room in the Palace is decorated by a tree and includes family photos.

2020: The Queen’s role as a figure for national unity became even more important – showcased in the high viewing figures for her speech in 2020 at the height of the second wave of Covid infections
The pandemic made the Queen an even greater symbol of unity and national pride.
The Queen, while still protecting from Covid at Sandringham (Norfolk), paid tribute to those who made the most of the Pandemic to save the elderly.
She spoke about the resilience of British citizens and the way they met the challenges presented by Covid.
It was in the same year that the Queen gave an exceptional public address to the nation at the peak of the first pandemic wave.
She was often praised for her leadership, which she displayed when she relied on the words of Vera Lynn in order to awaken the scattered nations.
It was the highest-watched TV event during Christmas. This indicates that Covid-weary Britain is looking for strength in the head of government.