Queen warms Brits’ hearts as she says all many want is a ‘hug’ in heartwarming Christmas speech
THE Queen warmed the hearts of Covid-weary Brits, saying all many wanted was a “hug or squeeze of the hand”.
But in an impassioned Christmas Speech — hailed by many as the strongest by Her Majesty — she also told the nation: “We need life to go on.”
Speaking from Windsor Castle, the 94-year-old comforted millions by saying that while this year had “necessarily kept people apart’’, it had also “in many ways brought us closer’’.
Queen hailed the “quiet, indomitable spirit” of Brits battling the pandemic — and told them: “Even on the darkest nights there is hope in the new dawn.”
She shared her prayers for people “mourning the loss of those dear to them” and praised the NHS heroes and scientists finding a vaccine.
With an expected record TV audience watching her Christmas message, she said we all owe our frontline services “a debt of gratitude”.
And as 2020 comes to an end: “We need life to go on.”
The Queen, 94, spoke from Windsor Castle where she and 99-year-old Prince Philip are staying — away from their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She sympathised with those “missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand”.
And she went on: “If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.”
Hope and solace
By Arthur Edwards, Sun royal photographer
AS always, the Queen found the right words.
Her Majesty has a special way of uniting people and that ability has never been so badly needed than during this pandemic.
She rightly praised NHS and frontline staff and the achievements of scientists, and spoke to people who have lost loved ones.
It was an uplifting message which offered solace and hope to so many in such a difficult time.
The Queen began her speech, saying: “Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights.
"And light does more than create a festive mood. Light brings hope.
“For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’. But we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way.
"People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.
“Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity despite social distancing.
“Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer.
“Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities and helping those in need.”
In a ten-minute speech that many are hailing as her strongest, the Queen added: “In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit.
“To our young people in particular, I say thank you for the part you have played.
“This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
"As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
“Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us — supported by the amazing achievements of modern science — and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that, even on the darkest nights, there is hope in the new dawn.”
She finished saying: “Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.
“It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.”
Though the Queen never mentioned Covid-19 by name, throughout her stirring address viewers were shown images from the Duchess of Cambridge’s Hold Still project.
Thousands of photos were submitted to Kate’s collection of images to depict life in Britain during the virus pandemic.
Last year, there was a storm when viewers spotted that snaps of Prince Harry and Meghan were missing from a gallery of family pictures on the Queen’s desk.
This year, she spoke beside a single photo of Philip, with whom she celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary last month.
The Queen wore the Queen Mother diamond and mother of pearl shell brooch, featuring a shell motif in diamonds studded with a single round pearl. Made in 1919, it was left to The Queen Mother in 1944 by designer Lord Courtauld-Thomson’s sister, Winifred Hope Thomson.
The Queen Mum wore it often, including on her 100th birthday in August 2000.
Last night, royal author Phil Dampier said: “The Queen’s Christmas address was very much one of hope for the future.
“She always has a religious element to her speech but there was more of it this year — and in particular she was speaking to all faiths and communities.
"Just like her ‘We’ll Meet Again’ lockdown message earlier in April, she is offering hope for the future and a feeling that things will get better soon if we all pull together.
“I don’t think anyone else could unite the nation like the Queen.”
The National Anthem was performed by The Household Cavalry Band, with Christmas carol Joy to the World sung by the chart-topping Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, filmed in St George’s Hall, Windsor.
Medical records clerk Andre Levy, who sings bass, said the choir — which had a Christmas No1 in 2015 with A Bridge Over You — were kept in the dark about appearing in the broadcast until the last minute.
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He said of the experience: “It’s like a child being given all the nicest things in the world in one go. It was amazing.
“This is like the light at the end of the tunnel. With everything that people have gone through, it’s wonderful to end on a high.”
Queen's speech in full
“Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood – light brings hope.
“For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.
“Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity – despite social distancing.
“Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.
“In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
“This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
“Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
“We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.
“Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
“Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
“The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.
“In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War – a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
“The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
“Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.
“If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.
“The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas – the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope – guide us in the times ahead.
“It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.”