Queen's speech to be 'particularly personal' after husband's death
This year will be the first Christmas since Prince Phillip passed away
Last updated 27th May 2022
The Queen's speech on Christmas Day is expected to be 'particularly personal' as she prepares to address the nation during the first Christmas since the death of her husband Prince Phillip.
A still from this year's speech shows Her Majesty sat at a desk wearing a red dress with a blue brooch. In shot is a picture of the Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Phillip passed away in April at the age of 99 and this year will mark the Queen's first festive period without her husband.
At his funeral, the Queen was forced to sit alone in order to adhere to coronavirus restrictions that were imposed at the time.
In addition, the Royal Family has had a tumultuous past twelve months. The monarch has presided over landmark events including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's stepping back from royal duties.
However, the Queen has also welcomed an extra four great-grandchildren to the Royal Family in 2021, making the year bittersweet.
For this year's celebrations, the 95-year-old monarch is expected to be joined by other members of the Royal Family like Prince Charles and his wife Camilla.
The Queen will also not travel to her traditional Christmas residence in Sandringham, as a result of rising COVID rates.
The speech will be broadcast on Christmas Day across all television channels at 3pm.
Royal love: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh
The Royal Wedding
The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.
The Coronation
Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.
Silver Wedding Anniversary
Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.
The new millenium
Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen
In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.
Sharing a smile
The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"
Prince Philip's funeral
After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.