Sunday, 24 Nov 2024

Queen’s speech: Heartbreaking tribute to late father hidden by Queen in new photo

The Queen, 93, will deliver her festive well-wishes to the nation tomorrow from inside Windsor Castle surrounded by a sparkling Christmas tree and pictures of her nearest and dearest. The 93-year-old, wearing a royal blue cashmere dress, is seen sitting behind a desk in the green drawing room, with four framed photographs of members of the royal family placed on the wooden tabletop. Closest to her Majesty, just below her right shoulder, is a black-and-white picture of her late father King George VI.

The photo, taken 75 years ago, shows King George VI broadcasting a message of hope and reassurance to the British people during World War Two in 1944.

George VI became King eight years earlier on December, 11 1936, following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII.

George VI was on the throne for 16 years, before dying on February 6, 1952.

Elizabeth II then succeed her father and became Queen, her official coronation took place on June 2, 1953 in Westminster Abbey at the age of 27-years-old.

Next to the war-time photo is a modern family picture of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children.

Prince William, 37, Kate, 37, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four and Prince Louis, one, can be seen perched on and around a motorbike and side car – an image used for their Christmas card.

Next to the adorable snap of the Cambridges is a photo of Prince Charles, 71 and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 72.

Meanwhile the final picture, located above Charles and Camilla, is a solo shot of the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, 98, who was recently admitted into hospital.

Most notably there was no visual references to either Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, or her newest grandson Archie-Harrison.

There was also no picture of the Queen’s second eldest son Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

In her Christmas message the Queen will acknowledge the “bumpy” path the royal family and the nation has experienced over the past 12 months.

The Queen’s annual speech is thought to be her first public reference to the personal events her family has experienced this year.

In 2019 the Queen has overseen the public fall out between her grandsons William and Harry.

Prince Andrew’s relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein also rocked the royal household.

Meanwhile at the beginning of the year, Prince Philip was involved in a car-crash and later surrendered his driving licence.

The Queen herself, was also dragged into the political crisis in Westminster after the Supreme Court ruled she was unlawfully advised to prorogue parliament by the Prime Minister.

However, the Queen will comment on how “small steps taken in faith and in hope” can be significant, and ultimately break down “long-held differences”.

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The head of state will also highlight the 75th anniversary of the Second World War D-Day landings, and how former “sworn enemies” joined together in friendly commemorations to mark the milestone in 2019.

Her Majesty’s message was recorded before Prince Philip was admitted to a private London hospital for treatment for a pre-existing but undisclosed condition.

The Queen will spend Christmas at her Norfolk Sandringham Estate with the rest of the Royal Family, minus Meghan, Harry and Archie.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have based themselves in Canada during an extended festive break with son Archie and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.

The Queen’s speech will be broadcast Christmas Day at 3pm on BBC One, ITV and Sky News.

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