The desk, the gilding, the Christmas tree, and the sovereign in her ceremonial clothes ... All the elements that usually make up the decor of the Queen's annual address, recorded at Windsor Castle, seem to be in place. .
This year, however, Elizabeth II broke with tradition to pay homage to her husband Philip, who died in April.
A first photograph of his holiday speech was indeed unveiled on Thursday, December 23.
We see the mother of Prince Charles, dressed in a red dress, sporting a particularly symbolic jewel.
Elizabeth II thus wears a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, with which she already posed in 1947, during her honeymoon with Prince Philip.
A precious object that the Queen of England also wore in 2007, on the occasion of their diamond wedding.
Elizabeth II also wore this jewel in the official photo of her 73rd wedding anniversary, unveiled in November 2020.
In video, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip from 1947 to the present day
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 2
Elizabeth and Philip look at their wedding photos on their honeymoon (Romsey, November 1947.)
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 3
The royal couple at the Royal Film Show, after seeing a Walt Disney film.
(1953)
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 4
Philip and Elizabeth in the Pacific Ocean, on the coronation tour (South Pacific, December 11, 1953.)
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 5
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh during a troop review.
If legend has it that Prince Philip surprised his bride in this outfit, hence her smile, it would be more likely that she was amused by a wasp disturbing the parade.
(London, April 14, 2003.)
PA Photos / ABACA
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 6
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 7
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 8
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 9
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 10
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 11
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 12
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 13
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 14
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 15
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 16
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 17
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love
Elizabeth and Philip, a couple in love - photo 19
See the slideshow
18 photos
An "unusual" speech
The 95-year-old sovereign, whose speech will be broadcast on Saturday, December 25 on English television, also placed on her desk a photograph of the couple, immortalized in 2007, in the country house in Broadlands, during the same diamond wedding . An unusual choice, because the sovereign usually exhibits pictures of several members of her family during her Christmas address. However, this year, the photograph of Prince Philip will stand alone on his desk.
In her annual intervention, the queen should therefore mention the disappearance of the Duke of Edinburgh. "It's incredibly unusual for the Queen to bring up personal things in her Christmas speech," Ingrid Seward, author of
The Queen's Speech
, said in the
Express UK.
.
She often mentions the key events and disasters of the year, but they are never personal. ”
Before concluding: "Maybe this time she will talk about Prince Philip, and even how he was a pioneer in the defense of the environment."
Answer on December 25.
The editorial team advises you
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The gift Elizabeth II gives to each of her 550 staff
