In a break with tradition, the Queen has recorded her Christmas Day speech at an army base near to Windsor Castle. The British monarch usually makes her address to the nation from the comfort of one of the royal residences, but this year filmed the event at Combermere Barracks – home to the Household Cavalry.
The backdrop for the annual discourse was the regimental training room. "We are extremely honoured that the Queen recorded her speech at a barracks," says an Army source. "It has been a tough year for the regiment, but this is the perfect way to end it."
During her visit, the monarch met members of the Blues and Royals regiment who served in the Gulf War, including Chris Finney, 19, the only soldier to receive a George Cross in the conflict.
Meanwhile, back in London, another royal residence was the centre of a security alert after a man was caught climbing over the perimeter wall of Buckingham Palace. He was on his way out of the grounds having wandered around in the gardens for 20 minutes. The Queen was in residence at the time.
This latest intrusion is the most recent in a series of security breaches which have embarrassed royal protection officers over the last 12 months.
The 27-year-old intruder – who was questioned at Belgravia police station before being released - has not been named, but the break-in is understood to have been a prank.
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