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Queen Elizabeth II at her traditional Christmas address from Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Photo: POOL / REUTERS
In her annual Christmas speech, Queen Elizabeth II tried to reassure the British and praised the work of volunteers during the pandemic.
"For many this year is a year of sadness: some mourn the loss of a loved one, others miss friends and family, while they want a simple hug or handshake for Christmas," said the 94-year-old.
"If you are one of these people, then you are not alone and you are sure of my thoughts and prayers."
The Queen and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip moved to Windsor Castle on March 19 as a precautionary measure because of the corona virus and are spending Christmas there without their family members, as a palace spokesman confirmed on Friday at the request of the German Press Agency.
Typically, hundreds of onlookers gather each year on Christmas Day to watch the Queen and her relatives go to church.
But this year everything is different because of the corona pandemic: no visits, no public church attendance.
The deeply religious Queen will instead attend a small private service in a chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle, it said.
Britain is one of the worst hit countries in the world by the pandemic, with more than 70,000 deaths.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the situation was out of control on Sunday after a suspected more contagious variant of the virus had spread.
More than 50 countries then imposed strict travel restrictions.
Already in the first phase of the pandemic, the Queen turned to her compatriots and called on them to remain "united and determined".
She had also thanked the NHS staff and all other caregivers.
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kim / dpa / AFP / Reuters