Photograph Released by Palace Shows Queen Reflecting on Her Late Husband in First Holiday Address Since His Passing
This year’s Christmas Day message from the Queen is expected to carry a deeply personal tone, marking the first since the death of her beloved husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Buckingham Palace released a photograph ahead of the televised address, showing the Queen seated next to a framed portrait of herself and Prince Philip, taken in 2007 during their diamond wedding anniversary at Broadlands, Hampshire.
In the image, the monarch is dressed in a Christmas red wool shift dress by British designer Angela Kelly and a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which holds sentimental value as it was worn during their honeymoon in 1947 and their diamond wedding celebrations. This year’s message comes after Prince Philip passed away in April at the age of 99. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Queen attended his funeral alone, an emotional moment captured in the media.
Clarence House confirmed that the Queen will spend Christmas Day with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Windsor Castle, where she has chosen to stay this year due to the spread of the Omicron variant.
