Queen reflects on 'bumpy' year in Christmas message
The monarch's annual address is likely to be interpreted as a reflection on Brexit divisions as well as dramas in her own family.
Tuesday 24 December 2019 06:21, UK
The Queen will talk about 2019 being a "bumpy" year and the importance of reconciliation in her annual Christmas message, in what will be seen as a nod to political and personal turmoil of the past 12 months.聽
In what can be interpreted as a reflection on the Brexit deadlock and also dramas for her own family, she will talk about the importance of working together to put difficulties behind us.
Speaking about the life of Jesus and the importance of reconciliation, The Queen will say "…how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding....
"The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference."
The Queen's annual Christmas message will be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.
To make her point about reconciliation she will talk about attending the commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
She will say: "For the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formerly been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them...
"By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost."
The palace will never confirm the meaning of the festive message, leaving it open to interpretation, but it will inevitably be seen as the monarch reflecting on what has been a tumultuous year in the world of politics as well as an acknowledgement of her own family dramas.
In 2019, Prince Philip was involved in a car accident in Norfolk, Prince Andrew gave up his royal duties because of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and Prince Harry and Meghan were criticised for using private jets and taking legal action against the press.
This year the message was filmed in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
Sitting behind a desk wearing a royal blue dress, the Queen is surrounded by photographs of her family, including a picture of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall marking the 50th anniversary of his investiture as Prince of Wales, a photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children which they used for their Christmas card, and a photograph of the Queen's father King George VI sending a message of hope and reassurance to the British people in 1944.
A picture of the Duke of Edinburgh from the Queen's private collection, and one of the monarch with the Apollo astronauts, is on a table behind her.
The Queen is wearing the Prince Albert brooch, which was given to Queen Victoria by her husband in 1840, on the day before their wedding, and which was worn on their wedding day.
It is a sapphire and diamond brooch, set in gold.
The Queen is currently in Norfolk preparing to welcome her family for the annual Christmas celebrations.
But it is still unclear if the Duke of Edinburgh will be at Sandringham this year.
He was admitted to hospital on Friday.
In a statement the palace said: "The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition.
"The admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness' Doctor."
There have been no further updates on his condition or the treatment he is receiving.
It is standard for the palace not to put out updates on medical matters as they are seen as a private issue.