Undaunted by a knee injury, and clothed in an exuberant fuchsia ensemble trimmed with black, the Queen delighted hundreds of well-wishers on her Sandringham estate on Christmas Day by walking into church unaided.
She was accompanied by younger members of the royal family who scored a big hit with the crowds, particularly the popular princes William and Harry. After the service, a blushing Wills was pounced on by an American fan, who broke through the security barrier to present him with a hug and some chocolate. “It was very emotional for me,” said Marlene Ponce. “I am going home in October and it was my last chance to see William. I said to my husband, ‘I’m just going to go for it’.”
The towering university student handled the situation with aplomb, thanking Marlene for her gift before moving on to rejoin the rest of the royal party. His cousin, Princess Eugenie, was making her first public appearance since undergoing surgery to correct a minor spinal curvature. Princess Beatrice was also present, sporting a natty little blue hat, but the girls’ mother, the Duchess of York, was spending Christmas with her seriously ill father, Major Ron Ferguson, at the family home in Hampshire.
Later on in the day, the Queen’s traditional speech was broadcast. In it, she reflected on the "roller-coaster" year which saw her embarking on a busy summer schedule celebrating her Golden Jubilee shortly after suffering the deaths of both her sister and her mother.
"Many of you will know only too well from your own experience the grief that follows the death of a much loved mother or sister," said the 76-year-old monarch. "But my own sadness was tempered by the generous tributes that so many of you paid to the service they gave to this country and the wider Commonwealth."
The Queen, who made no mention of the criticism that followed the abrupt ending of butler Paul Burrell's trial, also expressed her personal philosophy of life, saying, “I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
