Queen Elizabeth says she still feels Prince Philip’s ‘presence’ in her Christmas speech

Queen Elizabeth has revealed more about life without her husband Prince Philip, and she gave a special nod to certain royal family members in her annual televised message.

The Queen has revealed how much she still misses her beloved husband Prince Philip in her annual Christmas Day message, saying she still feels his “presence”.

With a photo of the royal couple recreating their honeymoon picture on their 60th anniversary by her side, she said there was “one familiar laugh missing this year”.

“Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones, and this year especially I understand why,” she said.

“But for me in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world.

“His sense of service, intellectual curiosity, and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible. That mischievous inquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.

“But life of course consists of final partings as well as first meetings and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.

“We felt his presence, as we like millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas.”

Queen Elizabeth II recorded her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on December 23, 2021 in Windsor, England. Picture: Getty

She also described Christmas as being a time when many sing carols, decorate the tree and pass on routines from one generation to the next.

She likened this practice to Prince Philip’s Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which showed he was “always mindful of passing the baton” to help young people.

She also paid tribute to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William and Catherine Middleton for continuing Prince Philip’s “pioneering work” on the environment at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow.

The Queen also remarked that Christmas is not just a time for children.

“It’s an engaging truth, but only half the story,” she said.

“Perhaps it’s true to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all.

“Adults when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy and simple things where children do not.

“And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas.”

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will join the Queen for Christmas dinner. Picture: AFP Photo

The Queen said her family have seen the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of four new children who have been welcomed into the royal family.

This was a nod to Princess Eugenie and husband, Jack Brooksbank’s son August, Zara and Mike Tindall‘s son, Lucas, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet Diana and Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s daughter Sienna.

Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne in happier times. Anne has been forced to cancel Christmas with her mum because her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, has Covid. Picture: Getty Images

“They teach us all a lesson just as the Christmas story does that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential,” she said.

In a touching move, the Queen wore a prized sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which was first seen at a photocall during her honeymoon in 1947 at Broadlands as well as her 60th wedding anniversary.

It came as the Queen prepared to host Christmas dinner with an estimated 20 family members at Windsor Castle after she was forced to cancel her annual celebrations at Sandringham.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh at a State banquet in 1970. Picture: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

PRINCE PHILIP MEMORIAL DETAILS REVEALED

A poignant service to honour Prince Philip will take place next year, The Sun has revealed.

The Queen agreed the event celebrating the Duke of Edinburgh’s life and achievements will take place in Spring of 2022 at Westminster Abbey.

The congregation will include family, friends and dignitaries with further details to be announced soon.

Representatives from the charities and organisations Prince Philip was associated with will also be in attendance.

Following his death in April, the monarch said she and her family were in a “period of great sadness” but were touched by tributes paid to him.

Philip was laid to rest in April in Windsor Castle as the Queen was seen sitting alone in silent mourning for her husband of more than 70 years.

Buckingham Palace also released a heartbreaking picture of the couple relaxing together in Balmoral.

The announcement comes as the Queen faces her first Christmas without Philip.

— with The Sun.