Over nine million viewers watched Queen Elizabeth’s poignant Christmas message

Queen ElizabethHis annual Christmas Day speech gets more viewers than any other show in the UK, according to report. More than nine million people watched, with 7.4 million viewers on BBC and 1.7 million viewers on ITV. Last year’s viewership was estimated at 6.3 million won.

The queen’s message, her second since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, was the first since the death of Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years.

Neither the queen nor the official video producers avoid mentioning his absence. The video opens with an image of the couple before cutting to a framed photo of the two at the queen’s table. Her remarks begin, “[a]While it’s been a happy and joyful time for many, Christmas can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones. This year, in particular, I understand why. ”

She continued, “[b]For me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have received great consolation from the warmth and affection of the many dedications to his life and work – from all over the world. across the country, the Commonwealth and the world. A sense of service, a curious mind, and an ability to create joy in any situation – all are impeccable. That mischievous, questioning look in the end is still as bright as when I first laid eyes on him.”

On the topic of the ongoing pandemic, interrupt even the queen’s holiday plans, she commented that “we couldn’t celebrate as we could have wished, [but] we can still enjoy many happy traditions. Possibly singing carols (as long as the tune is well known); tree decoration; giving and receiving gifts; or watching a favorite movie that we already knew about the ending, it’s no surprise that families often treasure their Christmas routine.”

The video ends with some pre-recorded singing: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is the best song of the year. Unlike previous years “Joy To The World”, the charioteers are not doctors and nurses.

The Queen’s Christmas Message (officially called “Your Majesty’s Most Kind Speech”) is a tradition introduced on the radio by King George V (the grandfather of the current monarch) in 1932.

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