The Queen has once again given royal fans a glimpse into her family life as she displayed a touching photograph whilst delivering her annual Christmas Day message.
Her Majesty delivered her speech in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in front of a twinkling Christmas tree. At her desk was a frame of her and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and it's particularly special.
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The framed picture of the Queen and Philip was taken in 2007 at Broadlands country house, Hampshire, to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
The monarch, 95, was dressed in an embossed wool shift dress in Christmas red by Angela Kelly and the sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, for her broadcast - the same brooch that can be seen in the anniversary photo.
The then Princess Elizabeth also wore the chrysanthemum brooch for a photocall on her honeymoon with the Duke of Edinburgh, at Broadlands, Hampshire in 1947.
The photograph took pride of place next to the monarch during her address to the nation. In her heartfelt speech, the Queen paid tribute to her late husband and his legacy, and spoke about the importance of family, particularly at Christmas.
© Photo: AlamyThe Queen seen with a framed photograph of Prince Philip
The Queen's speech in full
"Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why. But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work – from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world.
"His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation – were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him. But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.
"We felt his presence as we, like millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas. While Covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions. Be it the singing of carols (as long as the tune is well known); decorating the tree; giving and receiving presents; or watching a favourite film where we already know the ending, it’s no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines.
"We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times. I see it in my own family and it is a source of great happiness.
"Prince Philip was always mindful of this sense of passing the baton. That's why he created The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which offers young people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond the chance of exploration and adventure. It remains an astonishing success, grounded in his faith in the future.
"He was also an early champion of taking seriously our stewardship of the environment; and I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William - admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine - most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow.
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© Photo: AlamyCharles and Camilla attended church in Windsor on Christmas Day
"Next summer, we look forward to the Commonwealth Games. The baton is currently travelling the length and breadth of the Commonwealth, heading towards Birmingham, a beacon of hope on its journey. It will be a chance to celebrate the achievements of athletes and the coming-together of like-minded nations.
"And 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; a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last seventy years - social, scientific and cultural - and also to look ahead with confidence.
"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.
"They teach us all a lesson - just as the Christmas story does - that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential. It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing: simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus — a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith. His birth marked a new beginning. As the carol says, 'The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight'.
"I wish you all a very happy Christmas."
MORE: The gift the Queen gives her staff every Christmas revealed
© Photo: AlamyThe Wessexes also stepped out on Christmas Day
The monarch's speech was pre-recorded in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle and was televised as usual at 3pm on Christmas Day.
The past 12 months for Her Majesty have been somewhat difficult. From Prince Philip's death to Barbados being the first country to remove the monarch as head of state, the Queen was forced to say goodbye more than once.
SEE: 8 amazing photos of the royal family's last Christmas at Windsor Castle
The Queen is spending Christmas and New Year's at Windsor Castle, where she will be visited Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who will follow the appropriate guidelines. This is the second year Her Majesty has been forced to cancel her festivities at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk due to the ongoing pandemic.
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