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| Christmas Broadcast, 1976. |
As we reflect upon the incalculable loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, one of the many things we are sorrowful about is that we will never again hear her reassuring, familiar tones in the Royal Christmas Message, which most of us knew simply (if erroneously) as 'the Queen's speech'. For many who would not consider themselves regular 'royal watchers' throughout the year, this was the moment when they gave Elizabeth II their attention. For millions, the late Queen was as much a part of Christmas Day as crackers and presents. Although Her Majesty had, for the first time, been displaying more worrying signs of frailty at the end of last year; I, for one, could never have envisaged that the 2021 Broadcast would be her last.
In her record-breaking reign, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a staggering sixty-nine Christmas broadcasts (1969 being - famously - the only exception), of which sixty-two were televised. If ever we attempt to understand the personality of this most remarkable of monarchs, the Queen's annual festive message to the peoples of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth is the best place to look. We see a woman of extraordinary goodness and optimism: modest, compassionate and understanding of those who are often less appreciated than they should be. A woman of profound Christian faith who accepted her role as destiny ordained and kept her promise to serve for life.
Sadly, I will never again feel that 'buzz' in the autumn when I realise that planning will already be underway for the Queen's next Christmas message, culminating in scouring the Internet late on Christmas Eve night, looking for the first evidence somewhere in the world of the official publicity photograph, revealing what colour Her Majesty is wearing, which residence and room the Broadcast is filmed in and what the 'set' looks like. Although His Majesty King Charles III will certainly maintain the tradition of the annual Broadcast, the Christmas Day 2022 message will seem very different without the 'presenter' (as Queen Elizabeth described herself in the 2017 Broadcast) of the past seventy years. May Her Late Majesty rest in peace.
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| Chistmas Broadcast, 1982. |
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