Queen Elizabeth II’s heartbreaking words about husband Philip in her final Christmas speech

So very sad

Queen Elizabeth II paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband, Prince Philip, during her final Christmas speech.

Prince Philip died in April 2021, aged 99. The queen passed away over a year later in September 2022, sadly making her 2021 Christmas Day speech her last.

Every year, the queen would deliver a personal message to the nation on December 25.
Philip died in 2021 (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Queen Elizabeth II’s heartbreaking tribute to Prince Philip

Speaking to the nation on Christmas Day in 2021, just over eight months on from Philip’s death, the queen made some heartbreaking remarks about him in her annual festive speech.

“Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year especially I understand why,” she said at the time.

“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,” she continued.

“His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.”
They were married for 73 years (Credit: SplashNews.com)

‘Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones’

The queen continued.

“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,” she said.

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

Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year especially I understand why.

The queen also spoke of the Duke of Edinburgh award, which the late Philip had created, explaining that he was “always mindful of passing the baton”.

“He was also an early champion of taking seriously our stewardship of the environment; and I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William – admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine – most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow,” she said.

During her broadcast, a framed photo of the queen and Philip could be seen on her desk.
Charles paid tribute to his parents in his Christmas speech (Credit: BBC)

King Charles’ tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

In December 2022, Charles gave his first Christmas speech as king. He has kept the annual tradition every year since.

Like his mother, he used the opportunity to pay tribute. The queen had died months earlier in the September.

“I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, The late queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.  I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family,” he said.

“Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.  We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition,” he continued.

“In the much-loved carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ we sing of how ‘in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.’  My mother’s belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people – and it is one which I share with my whole heart.”

The king is expected to give a Christmas speech again this year, which will broadcast on December 25.