THE Queen’s speech was aired on Christmas Day, and reflected on the loss of beloved husband Prince Philip following his death aged 99 in April of this year.
The monarch spoke movingly about missing the “mischievous twinkle” and “familiar laugh” of Prince Philip in her Christmas Day message.
In a deeply personal message, she fondly recalled his sense of fun but also said she was “proud beyond words” of his achievements.
Meanwhile, in other Royal related news; pubs, clubs and bars will be given a two-hour licensing extension that will allow them to serve drinks until 1am during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
It is a move that ministers hope will help boost the hospitality trade recovering from two years of pandemic restrictions.
The government will consult the public on extending licensing hours from the normal 11pm to 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 2 to 4.
Read our royal family live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
Explained: When is the Queen's Platinum Jubilee?
Princess Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952 – the day her father King George VI died.
Therefore February 6, 2022, will mark 70 years on the throne
However, the UK will celebrate Her Majesty’s 70th anniversary as monarch with a blockbuster weekend of celebrations in June 2022.
It is the first time any British monarch has reached this historic milestone.
In November 2020, Oliver Dowden announced "a four-day Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate The Queen’s 70 year reign".
The May Bank Holiday Weekend will be moved to Thursday, June 2, 2022.
An additional Bank Holiday will take place on Friday, June 3, 2022.
It means there will be a four-day weekend to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
- Milica Cosic
Some of the Platinum Jubilee weekend plans
Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will include Trooping the Colour, the lighting of beacons, a Service of Thanksgiving, a concert, Platinum Pageant and nation-wide street parties.
The Jubilee will form one of the three main pillars of landmark events taking place next year alongside Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Unboxed festival, in addition to other events such as Coventry City of Culture and the centenary of the BBC.
- Milica Cosic
Priti Patel on the Queen
Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: “The Queen embodies the spirit of public service.
“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty has led us with the best of British values – steadfastness in the face of adversity, a remarkable dignity, and a willingness to always put the country first.
“The Platinum Jubilee is an unprecedented occasion and I am delighted that we will be able to mark this celebration in such a special way – including by giving people a long Bank Holiday weekend and extending pub opening hours.
“The last few years have been difficult for us all. I know that that families, friends and communities across the UK and the Commonwealth will want to come together and celebrate the truly outstanding achievements of Her Majesty The Queen.
“I would invite Sun on Sunday readers to join me in June by raising a glass to toast Her Majesty The Queen – long may she reign over us.”
- Milica Cosic
Boozers to extend opening hours for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Pubs, clubs and bars will be given a two-hour licensing extension that will allow them to serve drinks until 1am during the three-day summer celebration.
Ministers hope the move will help fuel a blockbuster weekend which will boost the hospitality trade recovering from two years of pandemic restrictions.
A four-day Bank Holiday weekend will take place in early June to toast Her Majesty’s 70-year reign.
The government will consult the public on extending licensing hours from the normal 11pm to 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 2 to 4.
- Milica Cosic
Cambridge family loves playing THIS game
Brits have previously heard of the Royal’s love of charades, although it seems the next generation have begun to favour board games – despite some struggling with defeat.
Prince William explained: “We’re playing board games with the children quite a lot. We love Monopoly, that’s good.
“And Risk, that’s a good game. It goes on for hours, and usually everybody gets very cross because they lose.”
- Milica Cosic
Meghan & Harry raking it in thanks to Spotify
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a megabucks podcast deal worth a reported £18million with the streaming giant last year – but until now, have shared just 37 minutes of material.
Despite this, are still on track to rake in a staggering £486,000 per MINUTE for their work with Spotify.
Spotify said the venture’s “first complete series” was expected in 2021, following a three minute trailer and 34 minute Christmas special from the Sussexes last year.
But one year on, fans are yet to hear any more, meaning Meghan and Harry could be paid £486,486.486 for every minute they’ve produced so far.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun Online: “It is interesting regarding Spotify because if you look at several of the Sussexes activities you find they’ve not actually done a great deal.
“I think given the way the Sussexes think, they do things their own way and that would have been very clear to Spotify, Netflix and any future sources that want deals with them.
“They therefore won’t feel pressurised. How the next year is going to develop is going to be fascinating.”
- Milica Cosic
The end of The Queen'x Xmas speech
Her Majesty ended her speech by referring to her own Christian faith and the enduring message of Christmas.
"It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing, simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus – a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith.
"His birth marked a new beginning.
"As the carol says: 'The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.' I wish you all a very happy Christmas."
- Milica Cosic
Five hidden details in the Queen’s Christmas message
Here are five hidden details in the Queen's poignant Christmas message, which will be broadcast to the world today at 3pm.
- Her brooch -The Queen is wearing a treasured brooch during the Christmas Day speech – which is a touching tribute to Prince Philip.
- Picture with Prince Philip – She has a photo of her late husband Philip in the foreground during the speech.
- Star decorations on the tree – The Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room – where the speech was recorded – also has a special significance this year.
It has been decorated with over 100 white and gold stars – which were specially made by the children and staff of The Royal School, Windsor. - The White Drawing Room – The White Drawing Room is one of three semi-state rooms in Windsor Castle that were created as private apartments for King George IV. And it's one of the most frequently used rooms at Windsor Castle.
- Song in the background – In celebration of the Centenary of the Royal British Legion this year, the National Anthem was played by The Central Band of the Royal British Legion.
‘Big things are coming’ for Meg & Harry
Spotify previously said “big things are coming” and urged listeners to “stay tuned”.
One source said recently: “Spotify were delighted when they signed the couple, but the lack of content has mystified them.
“Particularly as they seem to have no problem producing content for other platforms.”
Despite this, it is understood the couple were not paid their full £18million fee from Spotify up front.
- Milica Cosic
Queen's Xmas speech (Continued…)
"That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.”
Her Majesty added: "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.”
She went on to pay tribute to her husband’s achievements in setting up the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and raising awareness about the environment.
“We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times,” she said.
Read the speech in full here.
- Milica Cosic
The Queen delivers emotional Christmas message
Her Majesty delivered a poignant traditional festive address this year as she talked about Christmas without her "beloved" husband, following his death aged 99 in April.
Pinned to her dress was a treasured sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, worn during her honeymoon in 1947 and at their 60th wedding anniversary.
“Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,” she said.
"This year, especially, I understand why.
"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."
- Milica Cosic
Tom Walker on Kate's big performance
The rendition of Walker’s Christmas single For Those Who Can’t Be Here was performed as part of the duchess’s Royal Carols: Together At Christmas concert, filmed earlier this month.
Speaking about the performance, Tom Walker, who performed alongside the Duchess, said: "She was just so nice. I think the first rehearsal we did she was quite nervous because she hadn’t played with another musician in a very long time.
"She’s got a piano at home but the one that we’d rented in for the day was going to be the same one we were using for the actual service.
"It was completely different to hers, so she was trying to get the feel for that.
"She’s just lovely, really chilled out, very nice, seems really approachable and just really lovely."
- Milica Cosic
Kate & Wills' Xmas message
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have sent a Christmas message to all those isolating from loved ones and supporting the NHS today.
They have acknowledged the growing Omicron cases in the UK, writing how "this Christmas will be different to what so many of us had planned".
- Milica Cosic
A service of thanksgiving for Prince Philip
The Queen will make a service of thanksgiving to honour Prince Philip and it will take place next year.
She has agreed that the event celebrating the Duke of Edinburgh's life and achievements will take place in Spring 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.
- Milica Cosic
Harry wearing 'Diana's' bracelet in Xmas snap
In the Christmas snap with his family, Harry is seen with an assortment of trendy bracelets on his wrist.
It's believed the Duke of Sussex acquired the beaded bracelet during a trip to Africa, shortly after his mum Princess Diana passed away and has come to associate it with her.
In a previous interview, Harry revealed he first visited Africa after his mum died and has come to champion some of the causes she cared deeply about across the continent.
"I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died," he explained.
"My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags — we were going to Africa to get away from it all."
- Milica Cosic
Inside Meghan & Harry’s Xmas card
The card was released with the sweet message: “This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world.
“Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa’, and Lili made us a family.”
The card continued: “As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave: Team Rubicon, Welcome.US, Human First Coalition, Humanity Crew & Paid Leave For All, PL+US, Marshall Plan for Moms.
“Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours! As ever, Harry, Meghan, Archie & Lili”.
- Milica Cosic
Hidden signs in Meghan & Harry’s Christmas card
THESE are the five hidden signs in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmas card.
- 'Happy Holidays'
- Harry's bare feet
- Matching denim
- 'Diana's' bracelet
- Wedding photographer
Read the article in full here.
Queen ‘kept awake’ by fear Harry will ‘dismantle’ Firm
A royal commentator has claimed that The Queen has sleepless nights over fears the throne would be handed to Prince Harry if disaster ever struck Prince William’s family.
Royal commentator Daniela Elser in The New Zealand Herald questioned whether Harry would “dismantle” the institution “he has shown a dearth of respect for or interest in.”
Daniela also wondered how he would reshape or remake the organisation which “he has blamed for so many of his problems and so much of his unhappiness.”
She said: “Given Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex’s loud and pique-fuelled bombardment of the palace this year, it would be understandable if even the remotest possibility of the monarchy ending up in their hands was something keeping his Gan Gan awake at night.”
The Queen's corny jokes
It turns out that the 95-year-old monarch has bespoke crackers made for each member of the royal family.
Speaking to SAGA, royal expert and author Phil Dampier explained: "[The royals] have their own bespoke crackers, with gold or silver crowns. The Queen loves reading out the corny jokes."
The royal family have a number of festive traditions, including opening gifts on Christmas Eve and exchanging joke presents.
"The royals open their presents on Christmas Eve, creating a scene described by the Queen’s nephew, the Earl of Snowdon, as a ‘total uproar’," he added.
"The adults exchange cheap joke gifts, with Prince Harry once giving the Queen a shower cap with ‘Ain’t life a bitch’ printed on it."
Weirdest Royal Family Christmas traditions
Christmas Dinner isn't the only big meal of the day
While most of us have a light dinner on Christmas Eve, the Queen goes all out and hosts a black tie banquet for her nearest and dearest.
With the men in tuxedos and the women in tiaras, the Royals reportedly dine on Norfolk lamb, shrimp and other produce from within the estate.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady – who worked for the family for 11 years – claims that the Royals are served a full English fry-up in their bedrooms the following morning.
And if that wasn't enough, the chef told the Daily Mail that the family also followed up their Christmas lunch with wild BOAR for dinner.
He said: "When I was there it was traditional, Old English cuisine: a stuffed boar’s head on platters, ox tongue and boiled and roasted hams, salmon and game. Potatoes tossed in hollandaise sauce, sliced tomatoes or green leaves suffice as an accompaniment."
Meghan and Harry's Xmas donation
Alongside the family snaps, Meghan and Harry donated funds to multiple charities – including Paid Leave For All and Human First Coalition.
The card read: "As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave: Team Rubicon, Welcome.US, Human First Coalition, Humanity Crew & Paid Leave For All, PL+US, Marshall Plan for Moms.
"Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours! As ever, Harry, Meghan, Archie & Lili".
- Milica Cosic
Prince William’s fave movie
The Duke of Cambridge discussed his love for the 2003 classic Elf, a comedy that has continued to tickle him each year.
“It’s very funny and I keep watching it every Christmas, it still makes me laugh,” he said.
But he was less decisive when it came to what music the family rock around the tree too, “because he loves so many different types of songs.”
“But for this particular chat, I’m going to say Feliz Navidad, because it’s a bit different,” he said.
- Milica Cosic
The Queen's picture with Prince Philip
Sources say the Queen, 95, is going to give the most emotional and personal annual TV address of her near 70-year reign.
And she has a photo of her late husband Philip in the foreground during the speech.
It shows the loving pair recreating a honeymoon picture on their 60th anniversary.
The framed photo of the Diamond Wedding couple in 2007 appears on a desk beside her in the pre-recorded address to the nation.
Unlike previous years, when she has had many pictures of her family around her, it is the sole image.
- Milica Cosic
Real reason Queen can never reveal Prince Philip’s will
One reason the late Duke’s will is not to be made public for at least 90 years is to protect the Sovereign’s position.
Further to this, judge Sir Andrew McFarlane said it must remain secret to protect the Queen’s “dignity and standing”.
Sir Andrew said to the BBC: “I have held that, because of the constitutional position of the Sovereign, it is appropriate to have a special practice in relation to royal wills.
“There is a need to enhance the protection afforded to truly private aspects of the lives of this limited group of individuals in order to maintain the dignity of the Sovereign and close members of her family.”
- Milica Cosic
Where was Harry & Meghan's Xmas photo taken?
The gorgeous family photo was taken during the summer at the pair's home in California.
It's understood the digital personal holiday card was sent to friends and family.
The Christmas card snap is the first glimpse the world has had of little Lilibet after the Sussexes welcomed the tot into the world earlier this year.
Alongside the family snaps, Meghan and Harry donated funds to multiple charities – including Paid Leave For All and Human First Coalition.
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