Queen’s speech talks of a ‘bumpy’ year in 2019 but hope for unity

3pm is a special time on Christmas Day, when The Queen appears on our TV for a few minutes to give her annual Christmas broadcast to the nation.

This year’s message was recorded a few weeks ago in Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. It spoke of a deeply divisive year for Britain, with political upheaval and discord being the order of the – erm, year.

“Small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding,” Her Majesty said. “The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.”

However, the message included many references to anniversaries this year, including 75th anniversary of D-Day, the moon landings, and even footage of the G20 meeting held at Buckingham Palace earlier this year.

The message is also heard across the Commonwealth via BBC World Service.

In the footage, we see The Queen wearing a cobalt blue cashmere dress from her own dresser, Angela Kelly, teamed with Queen Victoria’s blue sapphire brooch. It was a gift from Prince Albert for his bride on her wedding day, given in 1840.

Her Majesty made sure to mention her thanks to ‘all those on duty at home and abroad’ during the festive period, and even made a note of the climate emergency.

Archie Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrival was mentioned, as her eighth great-grandchild, showing the photo of Meghan holding Archie, with The Queen, Prince Philip and Doria Ragland, with Prince Harry looking on proudly.

On the desk, viewers can see a photo of Prince Charles, and Camilla; Prince Philip; the Cambridge family in their recent Christmas card photo, and a black-and-white image of George IV, when he was recording his own Christmas broadcast.

We also saw the video of Prince George helping to make Christmas puddings, from which photos were released a few days ago.

As Head of the Church of England, and Head of State, the Monarch is always keen to share a message of faith and the meaning of Christmas, as well as themes like compassion, unity and

For a number of years, it has peaked the charts for the most-watched item on TV on the big day, ahead of the soaps and festive editions of well-loved TV series.

Of course, the traditional Christmas message began with George V, The Queen’s grandfather, in 1932, when he spoke to the Empire via the radio. Elizabeth II’s broadcasts have been televised since 1957.

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