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Three Queens and a Funeral: King George VI is Buried

The funeral of King George VI ushered in the era of Queen Elizabeth II. 


Heaven knows what it feels to lose a son, a husband, and a father. After all, He lost His son in the humblest, most painful way. In the dead of that frosty day, Feb. 15, sixty years ago, the sun hid and showed no signs of glistening the day. Mourning, perhaps, but not as hurting, as it did pierce the heart of old Queen Mary, who at 85, herself was nearing the end of her life. To have lost a husband is like losing half of your being, but to see three of your children passed away within your lifetime is too much for a weary heart to bear. For King George VI's wife, Queen Elizabeth, now Queen Mother, losing her dear Bertie meant spending the next 50 years alone, without a husband to share the joys of seeing more grandchildren in the family, or perhaps be ecstatic in seeing them get married and bear her great-grandchildren. For the new queen, Queen Elizabeth II, her father's death meant facing the reality that she is now the Queen to millions of people spread all over the world. On his funeral, Great Britain's three queens gathered to bid adieu to the king who mattered most to their lives.

The iconic photo that captured three generations of queens grieving
on King George VI's funeral.

On Feb. 9, King George's body was transferred to Westminster Hall for the lying-in-state. More than 30,000 people flocked to take a last glimpse of their beloved king. Not even the bitter cold or the cloudy weather stood between the crowd and the solemnity of the event.

Queen Elizabeth, by now Queen Mother, made a call to Clarence House. She had finally bowed to the new sovereign, her daughter. Devastated and in unimaginable sorrow, she however managed to hide her feelings in front of the public. She even managed to send a message to millions of people around the world who shared the sorrow with her: “Your concern for me has upheld me in my sorrow and how proud you have made me by your wonderful tributes to my dear husband, a great and noble King.”

She ended her message with a message requesting the public to continue their love and support to the new queen, just the way they did to her and her husband: “I commend to your our dear daughter: give her your loyalty and devotion; in the great and lonely station to which she has been called. She will need your protection and love. God bless you all; and may He in His wisdom guide us safely to our true destiny of peace and good will. Elizabeth R.”

The message was sent to the press for publication. However, it was noticed that there was an omission. The new queen's husband and her children were not mentioned. Palace officials immediately phoned editors to make the corrections. The part where the queen mother made a reference to the queen should thus be read: “I commend to your our dear daughter: give her your loyalty and devotion; Though blessed in her husband and children, she will need your protection and your love in the great and lonely station to which she has been called.”

The funeral procession for King George VI. The coffin is borne up the steps into
St. George's in Windsor. At the foot of the steps is the coach carrying
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret
and the Princess Royal.

 For the queen's part, she was relieved to see that the 51-year old queen mother refused to dwell in sorrow. In fact, a day after the king's death, she was composed enough to play with her grandchildren. She told an aide, “I have got to start sometime and it is better now than later.”

The funeral, held Feb. 15, was filled with sorrow and anguish. Before the dawn broke, all the roads have already led to London as thousands of the king's subjects gathered together to bid farewell for the wartime monarch. At 8 am, the capital's streets were closed. The king's funeral procession also brought innovation, as it was the first time that a sovereign's funeral was aired on television. At 9 am, the queen, together with the funeral entourage, arrived at Westminster Hall. More than 300,000 people had paid homage to the king while it was laid in state for three years.

Notable during these dark days in the royal family was young Prince Charles who, missing his dear grandpas, asked the queen mother if he would ever come back to play with him. The grandmother hugged her grandson. The three-year-old prince, who at the time emerged as the heir apparent, noticed his nurses in tears said softly: “Don't cry, Granny.”

King George VI's funeral coverage.

King George VI's 16-year reign is over. His daughter is now the reigning queen while the queen mother stepped down to her new post as the second lady in the land. Nevertheless, she still retained her status as queen and she still enjoyed her style as Her Majesty.

Kings, queens, princes, heads of state, and dignitaries from all over the world were all gathered in London to attend the spectacular funeral of the king. Indeed, there are only two instances where the most powerful people in the world have come to converge in the capital, most likely every time when a new sovereign is crowned, when his reign is welcomed in warm reception by his subjects and all the peoples in the world, and when his reign and life folds, when he is brought to his final resting place. It is a sign of the respect that he had earned and the affection of the subjects that he had served so loyally and the people he met while on duty.

The king's coffin was carried along the streets of London, escorted by four princes, his eldest brother, the duke of Windsor, the former King Edward VIII who abdicated and surrendered the reins of the kingdom to his younger, reluctant brother. This was the first time that the former king had returned to Britain after many years of living in Paris. With him are his younger brother, the duke of Gloucester, nephew duke of Kent, and the queen's husband, the duke of Edinburgh.

One important member of the royal family who did not show up at the funeral was Queen Mary. The cortege passed at Marlborough House though, and as it progressed, the queen mother, the princess royal, and Princess Margaret leaned through the window of the Irish State Coach to take a glimpse of the grieving mother.

 The funeral procession ended at Paddington, where the king's remains were taken to Windsor by train at 12:20 pm.

The king was finally laid to rest at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. A brief service was held, and two minutes of silence was observed to pay final homage to the king, whose presence during the war, however burdensome it was for his part, boosted the country's morale. The coffin was draped in red, blue and gold of the Royal Standard. It was laid with the Imperial State Crown, the Gold Orb, the Sceptre, the Insignia of the Order of the Garter and a wreath of white orchids, white lilies, and white carnation, the queen mother's final gift to her husband as she bid farewell. The card read: “For darling Bertie, from his always loving Elizabeth.”

Almost after the funeral, Queen Elizabeth II and her family moved to Buckingham Palace. The queen mother transferred to Clarence House. She was joined in by Princess Margaret. The royal family settled at the Belgian Suite located at the palace's ground floor. Today, that part is reserved as accommodation for visiting heads of state.

The first important pronouncement that the queen made at the onset of her reign was to declare and clarify her husband's position in the realm. On Sept. 30, it was announced: “The Queen has been graciously pleased by Warrant bearing date the 18^th instant to declare and ordain that His Royal Highness Philip Duke of Edinburgh... shall henceforth upon all occassions... except where otherwise provided by Act of Parliament have, hold and enjoy, Place, Pre-eminence and Precedence next to Her Majesty.”

In effect, the prince would be the second to swear allegiance to Her Majesty on her coronation, after the archbishop of Canterbury.    

Photo Sources and References:

British Broadcasting Center. 1952: King George is Laid to Rest. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/15/newsid_2542000/2542721.stm, retrieved Feb. 10, 2012.

De Souza, R. J. (2012, Feb. 9). Three queens, full of sorrow. National Post, http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Three+queens+full+sorrow/6123990/story.html, retrieved, Feb 10, 2012.

Mount, H. (2012, Feb. 6). Diamond Jubilee – The King is Dead – long live the Queen. The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9063122/Diamond-Jubilee-The-King-is-dead-long-live-the-Queen.html, retrieved Feb. 10, 2012

Museum of London. Funeral Procession of King George VI. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Collections-Research/Collections-online/object.aspx?objectID=object-767645&start=746&rows=1, retrived Feb. 10, 2012.

Duchess of Cambridge to Become Military Colonel

Duchess of Cambridge takes on the late Princess of Wales role as honorary colonel.

In honor of Prince William's mother, the late Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Cambridge will take on the role as head of the Princess of Wale's old Army regiment. Military chiefs announced that there is an on going plan to install the duchess as the honorary colonel of the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment. The duchess is also set to work together with her husband and Prince Harry on a charity event that they will co-sponsor with the Forces in Mind Trust in aid to former Servicemen who have difficulty in coping with civilian life.

  

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend War Horse Premiere

Ever the gentleman, the duke shields her duchess from the rain.

Rain or shine, the show must go on, and so the Duke and Duchess ofCambridge braved the downpour to attend Steven Spielberg's War Horse premiere on the eve of the duchess' birthday, Jan. 8, at Leicester Square.

The Duchess' fashion statement caught the attention of the media, as she wore a stunning floor-length gown, with black flower embroidery and leaf patterns. It was fitted to the waist while the long skirts fell loose. The duchess' made her sleek and stylish and even enhanced her already-slender wrists. With less jewelry, the beauty of her dress stood out.

Reference and Photo Source, The Daily Mail, Jan. 8, 2011.

Duchess of Cambridge turns thirty

Duchess to celebrate 30^thbirthday on in a low-key event with family.

The Duchess of Cambridge, seen here with the Duke of Cambridge, the
 Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark during their Denmark
trip last year. 

The Duchess of Cambridge turns 30 tomorrow, but it was revealed she will celebrate it in a “low key and private event,” with families and close friends.

Before her first year as a royal, the duchess has already achieved initial milestone as she embarked on her first trip abroad and became patron to five organizations.

Prince Harry was reportedly planning to throw a lavish party for her sister-in-law but Buckingham Palace shrugged off rumors, with an official statement: “Whatever is planned will be low-key and private.”

The duchess is expected to spend her birthday with Prince William, together with family and close-circuit friends. The Duke of Cambridge, a RAF search-and-rescue operator co-pilot, is headed next week to work at the RAF Valley in Anglesey.

From “Princess” Diana to “Duchess Kate”: The Incorrect Way of Referring to a Royal Consort

Royal consorts have been victims of incorrect references made by the press. 

Many times over, I have heard people say “Princess Diana” in reference to Diana, Princess of Wales, first wife of Prince Charles and mother to princes William and Harry. Months after her wedding, Catherine Middleton, who assumed her husband's title Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, has been victim of the press' display of disrespect and lack of knowledge on how to correctly address a royal consort. The same is the case with the Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, who is sometimes wrongly called by the press as “Sophie Wessex.”

The late Princess of Wales was popularly but incorrectly called Princess Diana. 

To come to full understanding of what is the proper way to address a royal consort, here is a little lecture for those who find this topic a bit difficult to understand.

Royal Consorts Married to Blood Royals with Substantive Titles

Substantive title is a title of nobility or royalty that an individual holds which he either acquires by grant or by inheritance. Usually, heirs apparent are known for their substantive titles, as with the case of Prince Charles, who is known for his substantive title Prince of Wales, and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, the Prince of Asturias.

The British press loves to call the Duchess
of Cambridge "Duchess Kate,"or worse,
 only "Kate."

The British monarchy also assigns substantive titles to the younger sons of the sovereign, which are usually inherited by their elder sons.

The younger sons of Queen Elizabeth also hold substantive titles. Prince Andrew is the Duke of York, while Prince Edward is the Earl of Wessex. The same is applied to the queen's male-line cousins. Prince Edward, being the elder son of Prince George, inherited the title Duke of Kent, meanwhile, Prince Richard, as the sole surviving son, assumed his father Prince Henry's title, as the Duke of Gloucester.

Now, let us go to the titles of their wives.

The late Princess of Wales was born Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of the 8^th Earl Spencer, a member of the British nobility. Because she wasn't born a royal, she was not entitled to carry the title “Princess” before her name. Thus, calling her “Princess” Diana is totally incorrect. The rightful reference to her should be Diana, Princess of Wales, or the Princess of Wales.

The Countess of Wessex is sometimes
 called "Countess" Sophie Wessex.

In 1996, the Prince and Princess of Wales divorced but Diana was allowed to continue using her title, although her style as Royal Highness ceased, being no longer a member of the British Royal Family. She died in 1997, and the title lay vacant. In 2006, the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Technically, she should have every inch of right to assume the title Princess of Wales, being the legal wife of the prince, but to avoid confusion and in respect to Diana, who still enjoyed the love and admiration of the Britons. Thus, she assumed her husband's second title, which is Duchess of Cornwall. Worldwide, she is popular as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, although in Scotland, she is referred as the Duchess of Rothesay, because the prince's official Scottish title is the Duke of Rothesay.

Moving forward to Prince William's wife, Cathering Middleton officially assumed the title Duchess of Cambridge upon their April wedding. As such, she should be officially referred to as either Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, or the Duchess of Cambridge, not as “Duchess” Catherine, as what most British tabloids call her. Her complete title and style is Her Royal Highness the Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.

The Baroness Marie-Christine Von Reibnitz is
popularly known as Princess Michael of Kent
 after she wedded Prince Michael, a royal
 prince who doesn't hold a substantive title.

The same is true with Sophie, Countess of Wessex. She isn't “Countess” Sophie Wessex, but the Countess of Wessex, her complete title and style being Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, Viscountess Severn.

Royal Consorts of Princes with Territorial Suffix By Virtue of their Parent's Title

Prince Harry (official known as Prince Henry of Wales), Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, Prince Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra of Kent fall under this category. These blood royals are usually younger sons or the daughters of a royal prince who happens to be the younger sons of sovereign who carries a substantive title. Prince Harry uses the territorial suffix “of Wales” by virtue of Prince Charles being the Prince of Wales. The same is true with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke of York, and the Queen's cousins, Prince Michael and Princess Alexandra of Kent, the younger son and the daughter of King George V's youngest son, Prince George, Duke of Kent.

In the case that bride weds a royal prince with territorial suffix, she assumes her husband's name and title. This is the case of Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz who is popularly known as the Princess Michael of Kent, after her wedding to Prince Michael. 

Countess of Wessex on hot seat for accepting jewelries

Countess asked to sell and distribute proceeds of jewelries gifted by Bahrain.

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The Countess of Wessex is criticized for receiving
gifts from Bahraini Royal Family.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex faces questions after receiving jeweleries from one of Middle East's most brutal regimes. It was reported that the Bahraini Royal Family had gifted the countess with two expensive sets of jewelries last December.

News steered public criticism.

“Given the appalling suffering and repression of the Bahraini people, it would be a fitting gesture for the Countess of Wessex to auction these trinkets and distribute the proceeds to the victims of the regime,” issued former Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane.

The countess received the jewelries while representing the Queen on a pre-Christmas trip to Bahrain, an event that placed the Royal Family at an uncomfortable spotlight.

The Royal Family has strong links with the Bahraini royalty. The Crown Prince of Bahrain has joined the Queen at the Royal Box during the Ascot and had thrown a banquet for the Prince of Wales and Duke of York. He was also invited to last year's wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, although public outcry caused him to decline the invitation.

Reference and Photo Source, The Daily Mail, retrieved Jan. 7, 2011.

Duchess of Cambridge joins the Scouts

Royal consort becomes patron to four more organizations.


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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is set to become a volunteer-helper at her local scout organization. This is in part of a new set of organizations that the Court announced the royal consort will serve as patron. The Scout Association revealed that the duchess will help on their day-to-day work and activities, including packing, running games, first aid teaching, cooking, and helping out at the campfire.

The duchess “loved the idea of Scouting and working hand-on with children,” said a spokesman at St. James's Palace during at interview with The Daily Mail. The duchess in fact felt the Scouts attached to her interests, particularly outdoor activities. Through her support, the duchess hopes to spread awareness of the shortage of adult volunteers.

The details of the duchess' volunteering were revealed by St. James' Palace Jan. 4, together with four other organizations that the duchess agreed to become patron, ranging from drug and alcohol addiction to arts and culture.

The organizations that the duchess chose to support are: Action on Addiction, East Anglia's Children Hospices, The Room, and the National Portrait Gallery. The duchess' choice reflected her interest in the arts, promotion of outdoor activities, and helping those in need, especially the children.

It is a tradition among members of the Royal Family to carry out royal patronages as part of their public works. After her husband, the duchess reveals her intention to share her time and attention to the causes that she felt are close to her.

Next month, the Duchess of Cambridge is set to make her first solo public appearance while the duke is to be sent on an assignment with the RAF to the Falklands.

Reference and Photo Source, The Daily Mail, retrieved Jan. 6, 2011.

The Love Notes of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Revealed

Scribbled messages in prayer book reveal intensity of the king's passion.


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Henry VIII's love notes to future wife Anne Boleyn written on the margin of a prayer book is expected to be finally revealed in an upcoming BBC television series. The notes were said to be expressions of the lovesick king's attempt to woe his second wife.

The scribbled messages, which the king wrote in French, were impassioned and intense, showing his love to his future wife. His notes of love were expressed in Boleyn's book, Book of Hours. He wrote the scribbled message on the page depicting the “Man of Sorrows,” telling Boleyn, “If you remember my love in your prayers as strongly as I adore you, I shall hardly be forgotten, for I am yours. Henry R. forever.”

Enticed Anne replied under a picture of the Annunciation, showing Archangel Gabriel as he tells the Virgin Mary that she is bearing a son. Experts believed that Boleyn intended to place her message under that picture to imply that he will give the king a much-awaited heir.

“By daily proof you shall me find/To be to you loving and kind,” replied Boleyn in rhyming couplet.

The message dated circa 1528, two years after Henry VIII started to win her heart. Today, the manuscript is housed at the British Library.

Reference: Revoir, P. (2012, Jan 5). Revealed the handwritten prayer book love notes sent by Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn before they married. The Daily Mail

William and Kate End Year in a Tent

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrate New Year with the Middleton.

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This is the first New Year of the newly wedded Cambridge couple and they decided to spend it with the Middletons.

And in a very unusual way.

With help of the duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, events coordinator Pippa Middleton, the royal couple enjoyed their first New Year together in a tent traditionally used by a reindeer herder in Lapland, at the duchess' parents' home in Berkshire.

Earlier the William and Kate were expected to join the Prince Charles and Camilla in Scotland, but they were seen early today playing with Kate's parents' dog.

The royal couple were laughing and joking and “looked full of joys of the season,” said one villager to The Daily Mail.   

Queen Victoria - Accession

Queen Victoria succeeded as Queen of Great Britain in 1837, after the death of her uncle King William IV. Hers would be the longest in British history.

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The young Queen Victoria welcomes the Lord Chamberlain and
the Archbishop of Canterbury, who brings news of her accession.

Victoria Becomes Queen

King William IV died in the early hours of June 20, 1837 and the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chamberlain hastened to Kensington Palace to inform the new queen of her accession. Victoria received them at around 6 am, in her dressing-gown and welcomed her reign with quiet dignity, although covered with a shawl and her hair falling upon her shoulders and her feet hurriedly thrust on her slippers.

Read more about Queen Victoria's Accession to the British Throne.

Queen Victoria Gains her Independence From the Duchess of Kent

The moment she became queen, Victoria made two simple requests: the first was that she be left for hour alone – one thing that has been denied to her all her life; the second was for her bed be moved to a room of her own, away from her mother’s chambers.

How did Queen Victoria break free from her mother and his companion John Conroy? Continue reading here. 

Watch A Two-Part Documentary of Queen Victoria's Life and Reign.

Great Britain Separates from Hanover

An important and welcoming result to the accession of a female sovereign during those days was the separation of the crowns of Great Britain and Hanover, the latter passing to William IV’s next surviving brother, the very unpopular duke of Cumberland.

More about the separation of the crowns of Britain and Hanover here. 

Queen Victoria Plunges into a Life of Zest, Freedom, and Gaiety

The new queen entered with zest upon her freedom, her new interests, and her new duties.

“I have,” she wrote, “so many communications from the ministers, and from me to them, and I get so many papers to sign every day, that I have always a very great deal to do. I delight in this work.”

Read The Queen's gay life after her accession

Queen Victoria's Birth and Childhood

Queen Victoria was the only child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. His father's death, as well as her uncles', placed her in direct line of succession.

Read: Events that led to Queen Victoria's birth.

The infant Victoria with her mother, the Duchess of Kent.

Before being forced to marry, Victoria’s father, the Duke of Kent lived with his mistress, Madam de Saint Laurent, for many years. After the government urged him to look for a royal wife, he eventually found a suitable bride in the person of Princess Victoria, daughter of Francis Frederick, reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and of Princess Augusta of Reuss-Ebersdorff.

The duke of Kent takes a bride

The bride had been married before to Emich Charles, Prince of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Hardenburg, who died in 1814 and left him with two children – Charles, who succeeded to his father’s title, and Feodora. She met the duke in Amorbach, where she was then living. Her brother, Leopold, who was married to Princess Charlotte, encouraged her sister’s union with his late wife’s uncle.

Money was one of the reasons why the duke decided to get married. He was already encumbered with debts before she met the princess and marrying her will enable him to receive a substantial income from the parliament.

The wedding between the Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg was solemnized on July 11, 1818.

Queen Victoria is born

Baby Victoria

The only child of the Duke and Duchess of Kent was born on May 24, 1819. Wanting their daughter to be born on the English soil, the couple departed Franconia for London just in time before the duchess gave birth.

The newborn royal baby was named Alexandrina Victoria, the latter being unheard of in the English-speaking world until that time. It was the product of a conflict of her father with her uncle the prince regent, who refused her to be christened with a “royal” name, like Augusta or Charlotte.

Alas, the duke did not live long after the infant princess’ birth. He succumbed to pneumonia and died on Jan. 23, 1820, six days before his father the king passed away. They were both buried in Windsor.

Prince Leopold’s Influence to Queen Victoria

King Leopold I of Belgium, Victoria's
uncle and surrogate father.

Left with nothing but a debts, the Duchess of Kent and the young princess went to live at Kensington Palace, having the economical support of Prince Leopold. Before his marriage to Princess Charlotte, the parliament provided the prince with an annuity of L50,000 for life. He continued to live in England, at Claremont House in Usher, Surrey until 1831 after he was elected first king of the Belgians.

The widowed mother trusted her brother as her best adviser and he was responsible for the general character of Queen Victoria’s education. After he went to Belgium, Victoria and Leopold carried on an affectionate correspondence throughout the 34 years of their joint lives. After her accession, the niece tactfully eluded and quickly terminated the uncle’s attempts to control British policies behind the backs of the British cabinet. Nonetheless, though she could not accept him as an extra-constitutional adviser, Victoria found in correspondence to her uncle, a delightful outlet for her private and unofficial feelings; only to him for example, did she speak of Palmerston and Russell as “those two dreadful men.”

On his death she recorded on her journal that he had been “ever a father” to her.

Baroness Louise Lehzen plays an important role in Queen Victoria’s childhood

The Baronness Lehzen is the young princess'
nanny. Early in her reign, she was a trusted
confidante. 

The young princess’ home was Kensington Palace, though she stayed at times with her uncle at Claremont and frequently traveled on the continent with her mother. Her half-sister Feodore was her nursery companion and remained her friend until her death in 1872.

When Victoria was five and admirable governess was found for her in the person of Fraulein (later Baroness) Louise Lehzen, a native of Coburg. Louise Lehzen won the whole-hearted devotion of the young princess and was the principal influence in her life until her accession to the throne, quite eclipsing the influence of her mother, the duchess of Kent. Victoria’s relation to her mother may be described as correct and usually friendly but no more. Hers is an elusive, pathetic figure. Her influence was of negative character, yet not this reason unimportant.

Prince Philip: Let Me Go Home!

Duke of Edinburgh insists he's well and good to go.

Robust or frail, Prince Philip remains in fighting form. Not even his chest pain, not the succeeding surgery dampened the 90-year old Duke of Edinburgh's spirits. In fact, hours after he awakened from operation, he demanded that he released from hospital confinement. 


"I feel fine," said the Duke to his doctors who performed the operation that remedied the blockage in his artery. "I don't want to make a fuss. I just want to go home."


Insiders at the Papsworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, the country's most advanced heart and lung center said that the Duke can't wait to go home. But the Duke will have to wait for at least one more night.


The Duke of Edinburgh was rushed to the Cambrideshire hospital evening, December 23 when he complained of chest pain. A successful operation was performed which removed the blockage in the artery. Midday Dec. 24, Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the Royal Family paid him a visit. This is the first time that the royal consort was not present in the annual Christmas Day Church Service in Sandringham estate, the royal family's holiday home in Norfolk. 

The Christmas Broadcast 2011

The Queen's Christmas Broadcast this year centers on families, friends, and the community. Here is the latest video or you can read the complete speech below.

In this past year my family and I have been inspired by the courage and hope we have seen in so many ways in Britain, in the Commonwealth and around the world. We’ve seen that it’s in hardship that we often find strength from our families; it’s in adversity that new friendships are sometimes formed; and it’s in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another.

Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.

When Prince Philip and I visited Australia this year we saw for ourselves the effects of natural disaster in some of the areas devastated by floods, where in January so many people lost their lives and their livelihoods. We were moved by the way families and local communities held together to support each other.

Prince William travelled to New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods and saw how communities rose up to rescue the injured, comfort the bereaved and rebuild the cities and towns devastated by nature.

The Prince of Wales also saw first hand the remarkable resilience of the human spirit after tragedy struck in a Welsh mining community, and how communities can work together to support their neighbours.

This past year has also seen some memorable and historic visits – to Ireland and from America.

The spirit of friendship so evident in both these nations can fill us all with hope. Relationships that years ago were once so strained have through sorrow and forgiveness blossomed into long term friendship. It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.

Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals.

It is this which makes the Commonwealth a family of people in the truest sense, at ease with each other, enjoying its shared history and ready and willing to support its members in the direst of circumstances. They have always looked to the future, with a sense of camaraderie, warmth and mutual respect while still maintaining their individualism.

The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.

For many this Christmas will not be easy. With our armed forces deployed around the world, thousands of service families face Christmas without their loved ones at home. The bereaved and the lonely will find it especially hard. And, as we all know, the world is going through difficult times. All this will affect our celebration of this great Christian festival.

Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: ‘Fear not’, they urged, ‘we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.’

Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.

In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, there’s a prayer:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin
And enter in
Be born in us today

It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Source: The British Royal Family's Facebook Page and the Official Website, retrieved Dec. 25, 2011.