Monday, 17 Jun 2024

Queen Elizabeth II news: How will Queen round off ‘horrible’ year for Royal Family?

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for 67 years and in that time she has seen the Royal Family through highs and lows. In 1992 a string of royal disasters prompted the Queen to dub the year as her “annus horribilis” (horrible year) in a speech delivered to Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary since her ascension to the throne.

The Queen is currently in the process of writing her annual Christmas Day speech and following a tumultuous year for the Royal Family, many will be interested to see what she mentions.

A royal source told Vanity Fair: “We don’t know what the Queen plans to say because we haven’t seen the speech yet.

“It’s still at a first-draft stage because of the election, but it probably hasn’t been the easiest speech to write.”

They added: “It has been a very difficult time behind the scenes, and morale is at a bit of a low.”

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Some royal commentators have branded 2019 the Queen’s second ‘annus horribilis’ after a string of difficult moments for the Firm.

From rumours of a royal rift between Prince Harry and Prince William to Meghan Markle’s admission she is struggling in the royal spotlight, the troubles did not end there.

The Queen faced being dragged into politics to end the Brexit saga and Prince Andrew was forced to step down from his royal role following an ill-judged interview about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

While the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew and his withdrawal from public life has left an indelible mark on the Royal Family, one royal expert has claimed the Queen has coped with worse before.

Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said: “The scandal around Prince Andrew has been deeply disturbing, and he will doubtless face more problems in the new year, including pressure for his testimony under oath.

“But the queen—along with Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and Prince William—acted decisively when the potential damage to the monarchy became clear.”

Prince Andrew’s withdrawal may have left an indelible mark on the Royal Family but it is unlikely to get a mention in her Christmas Day speech.

The Queen usually uses the address to mention royal highlights and take a wider view at the current state of the Commonwealth.

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The birth of her grandson Archie Harrison may get a mention as could Princess Beatrice’s happy engagement news but it is unclear if the Queen will touch on more difficult royal matters.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “Andrew will not be referred to directly.

“Whether the theme includes togetherness with the nation so divided remains to be seen but it is pretty certain.

“The Queen often refers to highlights of the royal year and Archie’s birth will be noted I am sure but she tends to concentrate on the wider picture and with the election so recent that may be the focus in a season of thanksgiving.

“She has strong religious faith and this will undoubtedly be the basis of the Message as usual.”

As well as her Christmas Day address the Queen will have to deliver another speech to mark the State Opening of Parliament next Thursday.

This Queen’s speech is written for her by the Government and sets out its programme of legislation and policies for the coming year.

The Queen’s Christmas speech is prerecorded at Buckingham Palace and broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

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