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One of the traditional elements of any Christmas day is seeing Queen Elizabeth II and her family go to church. Not this year. The coronavirus pandemic has made sure of that.
However, the 94-year-old Queen fulfilled what is considered her most precious duty on Christmas Day. Addressing the nation, as well as the Commonwealth, on television Friday.
The queen, who has spent much of the year in isolation at Windsor Castle with her husband, Prince Philip, 99, delivered a heartfelt message of hope in her Christmas speech, praising the “indomitable spirit” of those who have elevated “superbly”. to the challenges of the pandemic.
Seated behind a desk where the only family photo on display was a private portrait of Felipe, the Queen expressed her sympathy for the ordeal of recent months and at the same time expressed hope for a return to normalcy.
“We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and it comforts us that, even on the darkest nights, there is hope in the new dawn,” he said.
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The queen wrote down her address, as she does every year, and her words have likely added shock given the shock many families have experienced during the pandemic, particularly in the UK, which has an official death toll related to the coronavirus of just over 70,000. , The second highest in Europe behind Italy.
It was registered before the British government decided last weekend to ditch its plans to ease coronavirus restrictions for five days at Christmas. In many parts of the UK, including London, people were being urged to stay home and not meet other people due to a new variant of the virus that is said to spread much more easily.
Victoria Jones / AP
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has offered a heartfelt message of hope in her annual Christmas address.
“Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourn the loss of loved ones, and others miss friends and family estranged for safety, when all they really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a hug. handshake, “he said.” If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers. “
There was a strong religious theme in the speech that reflected her Christian faith and the Queen said that the biblical story of the Good Samaritan was relevant today.
“Good Samaritans have emerged throughout society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or origin, reminding us that each of us is special and equal in the eyes of God,” he said.
Although she lived a much more solitary existence, in recent months the Queen has been a visible presence, most notably in her two televised speeches to the nation from Windsor Castle in April and May, which were partly intended to reinforce the determination of the people in the face of closure.
Members of the royal family are spending the festive period in their respective residences this year instead of meeting at Sandringham.
