THE Queen’s speech will be aired on Christmas Day, and will reflect on the loss of beloved husband Prince Philip.
Usually, the Queen’s speech will be aired at 3pm, and it typically lasts around 10 minutes.
You will be able to watch the Queen’s speech on BBC One, ITV, Sky One and Sky News, and you’ll also be able to listen to it on BBC Radio 4.
Sources say the Queen, 95, will give the most emotional and personal annual TV address of her near 70-year reign.
Meanwhile, The Duchess of Cambridge’s piano recital at Westminster Abbey has taken Twitter by storm – with royal fans raving about her “stunning performance”.
Piers Morgan hailed the 39-year-old as a “proper Duchess” on Twitter.
One royal fan also commented: “Stunning performance”.
Another added: “Beautiful. Brilliant. And so lovely to watch. I love her soft skills and multiple talents.”
Read our royal family live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Milica Cosic
Queen’s touching tributes to Prince Philip
The Queen is to deliver a particularly personal Christmas Day message, surrounded by reminders of her beloved late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, heartfelt decorations made by children and the sound of a choir.
This is the 95-year-old monarch’s first festive period without Philip, who died aged 99 in April.
Coronavirus restrictions at the time meant the Queen was forced to sit alone in St George’s Chapel for his funeral service.
In the message, the Queen is seen wearing a chrysanthemum brooch that she wore during her honeymoon in 1947 at Broadlands country house, Hampshire, and she is sat next to a framed picture of her and Philip.
It was taken at the same venue in 2007 to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
A photograph released by Buckingham Palace ahead of her televised address to the nation shows the Queen wearing an embossed wool Christmas red shift dress, by British designer Angela Kelly, and sitting behind a desk in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
- Milica Cosic
Fans thrilled to spot giggling Lilibet is the spitting image of Meghan Markle
The Sussexes released their Christmas card yesterday showing off daughter Lilibet for the first time.
Royal fans were quick to gush over the adorable family shot and point out how similar the young baby girl looks to Meghan when she was a tot.
In the festive photo, taken by their wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski, Meghan, 40, can be seen raising a giggling Lilibet – who was named after the Queen – into the air.
Meanwhile Harry, in ripped jeans and no shoes, laughs as the 37-year-old cuddles their two-year-old son Archie.
One fan compared Meghan being held as a baby by mum Doria Ragland to Meghan holding Lilibet, and said: “Wow the resemblance.”
Another added: “Such cute kids. They have Dad’s hair and Mum’s nose. Perfection.”
- Milica Cosic
Kate praised for stunning piano display in Westminster Abbey
The Duchess of Cambridge's piano recital at Westminster Abbey has taken Twitter by storm – with royal fans raving about her "stunning performance".
Piers Morgan hailed the 39-year-old as a “proper Duchess” on Twitter.
Responding to his tweet, one royal fan commented: “Stunning performance".
Another added: “Beautiful. Brilliant. And so lovely to watch. I love her soft skills and multiple talents."
Meanwhile, a third said: “Not a huge royalist (but appreciate the need of the monarchy) but just bloody love #KateMiddleton and think she a beautiful soul and real asset to our country.”
- Milica Cosic
Kate Garraway praised after performing in front of Royals
KATE Gawrrawy read the poem Love Came Down at Christmas by Christina Rossetti in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other royals on the Royal Carols: Together at Christmas.
Wearing a cream coat over a red top, Kate managed to get through the message of hope, despite the heartbreaking news about her husband. Derek was rushed to hospital in March last year after contracting Covid-19.
"Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, love divine, love was born at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign," she read.
"Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine, worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign, love shall be our token, love be yours, and love be mine.
"Love to God and all men, love for plea, and gift and sign."
Royal Carols viewers could not believe Kate was able to compose herself to deliver the poem
"Kate Garraway. How she carries on and juggling all she does I don’t know. She is super human," wrote one viewer on Twitter.
- 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."
NINTCHDBPICT000701925000-2Credit: @KensingtonRoyal - Milica Cosic
Kate & William's wedding 'most influential Royal wedding of all'
The study, by creative resource Design Bundles, analysed Google Trends data for major Royal weddings over the past 16 years, to discover which couple’s wedding sparked the most interest online.
Searches for ‘Royal wedding’ spiked to 1487% the average volume in April 2011, the month that Prince William and Kate Middleton wed at Westminster Abbey – beating all other Royal weddings on the list.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding sparked a 203% bigger spike in searches for ‘Royal wedding’ than the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Meanwhile, the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles boasts the third-biggest spike in searches. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall saw searches for ‘Royal wedding’ spike 1233% during their wedding ceremony in April 2005.
As it was the second marriage for both Camilla and Charles, the couple had a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, before enjoying a marriage blessing at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. - Milica Cosic
When is the Queen's speech?
The Queen's speech will be aired on Christmas Day, which is December 25.
Usually, the Queen's speech will be aired at 3pm, and it typically lasts around 10 minutes.
You will be able to watch the Queen's speech on BBC One, ITV, Sky One and Sky News, and you'll also be able to listen to it on BBC Radio 4.
- Milica Cosic
Weirdest Royal Family Christmas traditions
The most important members of the Royal Family arrive last
In previous years, our family members usually rock up as when they feel like it on Christmas Day.
But when you’re a Royal, this all depends on your status in the family.
Speaking to Wales Online in 2014, royal author Brian Hoey revealed that members of the family are given a specific time to arrive a week before the celebrations.
He said: “Those family members who have been invited to spend the holiday with the Queen and Prince Philip are told by the Crown Equerry, who organises all transport, in what order they are to arrive at Sandringham, the Queen’s Norfolk estate, and at exactly what time.
“Royal protocol being what it is, it’s all worked out according to precedence and seniority, with the most junior and least important arriving first and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge [and their children], the last to turn up.”
- Milica Cosic
Every guest is WEIGHED before and after Christmas dinner
Admit it, we all like to boast about how much food we can tuck away on Christmas Day – but in the Royal Family, you have to put your money where you mouth is.
In 2018, royal expert Ingrid Seward Ingrid told Grazia that The Queen asks each of her guests to “weigh themselves” using a pair of antique scales when they first arrive at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk for the Christmas period.
But this is all to make sure guests are having a great time – and they’re weighed to make sure they’re being “well fed”.
The tradition dates back to King Edward VII’s reign in the early 1900s – and applies to all members of the royal clan.
As the festivities undeniably revolve around eating, the Royal Family first enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings before indulging themselves in an afternoon tea complete with a “gargantuan iced cake”.
- Milica Cosic
Kate Garraway asks if Sussexes Xmas card was released to ‘usurp’ the Queen
Kate Garraway has questioned whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Christmas card was released to “usurp” the Queen.
The TV host discussed how the official image – which saw baby Lilibet Diana photographed for the first time – was released on the same day as Her Majesty’s.
Kate, 54, and co-host Richard Bacon discussed the image, which seesThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex alongside their kids Archie, two, and Lilibet, six months.
Showing the first real look at both the children’s faces, the image was released to the public on Thursday on Instagram – much to the delight of Royal fans.
But it pipped Buckingham Palace’s official photograph of the Queen – whose annual speech will be broadcast tomorrow – to the post.
It led Kate and Richard, 46, to speculate whether or not there was a reason the Christmas images were released in such quick succession.
“They released their card half an hour before Buckingham Palace and the Queen did,” Richard explained on Friday morning’s show.
Kate then asked: “So is there a suggestion, Richard, that they kind of did that to in some way usurp the Queen?”
- Louis Allwood
Royal news you may have missed
- We shared how Meghan’s ‘mask slipped’ showing ‘hostile behaviour’ in interview before she met Harry, says body language expert.
- Meanwhile, Meghan showed her real feelings about her royal title with one gesture on Ellen show, says body language expert.
- And Meghan and Prince Harry will skip Christmas with “disappointed” Queen & will celebrate in $15m pad, it’s claimed.
Royal news you may have missed
- We shared how Meghan’s ‘mask slipped’ showing ‘hostile behaviour’ in interview before she met Harry, says body language expert.
- Meanwhile, Meghan showed her real feelings about her royal title with one gesture on Ellen show, says body language expert.
- And Meghan and Prince Harry will skip Christmas with “disappointed” Queen & will celebrate in $15m pad, it’s claimed.
Princess Diana was mortified during first royal Christmas says expert
LET’S be honest – spending Christmas with your other half’s family for the first time is always going to be a little nerve-wracking.
But what about if you’ve married into one of the most famous families in the world? Well, we can only imagine the stress.
In December 1981, Princess Diana found herself in this exact scenario when she spent her first festive season at Sandringham with her new husband Prince Charles and the Royals.
According to royal expert Victoria Arbiter, the 20-year-old went all out with presents for the family.
However, the latest addition to the family was left mortified when she realised the Royals always opt for low-key presents – and she hadn’t been warned in advance.
Victoria told 9Honey: “During her first newlywed Christmas at Sandringham in 1981, Diana fell foul of the ‘cheap and cheerful’ family motto and gave everyone pricey cashmere jumpers.
“Beautiful as her gifts will have been, Diana was left rather red-faced having not been made aware of the family’s jokey tradition.”
Princess Diana was mortified during first royal Christmas says expert
LET’S be honest – spending Christmas with your other half’s family for the first time is always going to be a little nerve-wracking.
But what about if you’ve married into one of the most famous families in the world? Well, we can only imagine the stress.
In December 1981, Princess Diana found herself in this exact scenario when she spent her first festive season at Sandringham with her new husband Prince Charles and the Royals.
According to royal expert Victoria Arbiter, the 20-year-old went all out with presents for the family.
However, the latest addition to the family was left mortified when she realised the Royals always opt for low-key presents – and she hadn’t been warned in advance.
Victoria told 9Honey: “During her first newlywed Christmas at Sandringham in 1981, Diana fell foul of the ‘cheap and cheerful’ family motto and gave everyone pricey cashmere jumpers.
“Beautiful as her gifts will have been, Diana was left rather red-faced having not been made aware of the family’s jokey tradition.”
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.”
- Louis Allwood
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.”
- Louis Allwood
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.
- Louis Allwood
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.
- Louis Allwood
Kate Garraway asks if Sussexes Xmas card was released to ‘usurp’ the Queen
Kate Garraway has questioned whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Christmas card was released to "usurp" the Queen.
The TV host discussed how the official image – which saw baby Lilibet Diana photographed for the first time – was released on the same day as Her Majesty’s.
Kate, 54, and co-host Richard Bacon discussed the image, which seesThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex alongside their kids Archie, two, and Lilibet, six months.
Showing the first real look at both the children's faces, the image was released to the public on Thursday on Instagram – much to the delight of Royal fans.
But it pipped Buckingham Palace's official photograph of the Queen – whose annual speech will be broadcast tomorrow – to the post.
It led Kate and Richard, 46, to speculate whether or not there was a reason the Christmas images were released in such quick succession.
"They released their card half an hour before Buckingham Palace and the Queen did," Richard explained on Friday morning's show.
Kate then asked: "So is there a suggestion, Richard, that they kind of did that to in some way usurp the Queen?"
- Louis Allwood
Kate Garraway asks if Sussexes Xmas card was released to ‘usurp’ the Queen
Kate Garraway has questioned whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Christmas card was released to "usurp" the Queen.
The TV host discussed how the official image – which saw baby Lilibet Diana photographed for the first time – was released on the same day as Her Majesty’s.
Kate, 54, and co-host Richard Bacon discussed the image, which seesThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex alongside their kids Archie, two, and Lilibet, six months.
Showing the first real look at both the children's faces, the image was released to the public on Thursday on Instagram – much to the delight of Royal fans.
But it pipped Buckingham Palace's official photograph of the Queen – whose annual speech will be broadcast tomorrow – to the post.
It led Kate and Richard, 46, to speculate whether or not there was a reason the Christmas images were released in such quick succession.
"They released their card half an hour before Buckingham Palace and the Queen did," Richard explained on Friday morning's show.
Kate then asked: "So is there a suggestion, Richard, that they kind of did that to in some way usurp the Queen?"
- Louis Allwood
Fans thrilled to spot giggling Lilibet is the spitting image of Meghan Markle
The Sussexes released their Christmas card yesterday showing off daughter Lilibet for the first time.
Royal fans were quick to gush over the adorable family shot and point out how similar the young baby girl looks to Meghan when she was a tot.
In the festive photo, taken by their wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski, Meghan, 40, can be seen raising a giggling Lilibet – who was named after the Queen – into the air.
Meanwhile Harry, in ripped jeans and no shoes, laughs as the 37-year-old cuddles their two-year-old son Archie.
One fan compared Meghan being held as a baby by mum Doria Ragland to Meghan holding Lilibet, and said: “Wow the resemblance.”
Another added: “Such cute kids. They have Dad’s hair and Mum’s nose. Perfection.”
- Louis Allwood
Fans thrilled to spot giggling Lilibet is the spitting image of Meghan Markle
The Sussexes released their Christmas card yesterday showing off daughter Lilibet for the first time.
Royal fans were quick to gush over the adorable family shot and point out how similar the young baby girl looks to Meghan when she was a tot.
In the festive photo, taken by their wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski, Meghan, 40, can be seen raising a giggling Lilibet – who was named after the Queen – into the air.
Meanwhile Harry, in ripped jeans and no shoes, laughs as the 37-year-old cuddles their two-year-old son Archie.
One fan compared Meghan being held as a baby by mum Doria Ragland to Meghan holding Lilibet, and said: “Wow the resemblance.”
Another added: “Such cute kids. They have Dad’s hair and Mum’s nose. Perfection.”
- Louis Allwood
Every guest is WEIGHED before and after Christmas dinner
Admit it, we all like to boast about how much food we can tuck away on Christmas Day – but in the Royal Family, you have to put your money where you mouth is.
In 2018, royal expert Ingrid Seward Ingrid told Grazia that The Queen asks each of her guests to "weigh themselves" using a pair of antique scales when they first arrive at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk for the Christmas period.
But this is all to make sure guests are having a great time – and they're weighed to make sure they're being "well fed".
The tradition dates back to King Edward VII's reign in the early 1900s – and applies to all members of the royal clan.
As the festivities undeniably revolve around eating, the Royal Family first enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings before indulging themselves in an afternoon tea complete with a "gargantuan iced cake".
- Louis Allwood
Every guest is WEIGHED before and after Christmas dinner
Admit it, we all like to boast about how much food we can tuck away on Christmas Day – but in the Royal Family, you have to put your money where you mouth is.
In 2018, royal expert Ingrid Seward Ingrid told Grazia that The Queen asks each of her guests to "weigh themselves" using a pair of antique scales when they first arrive at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk for the Christmas period.
But this is all to make sure guests are having a great time – and they're weighed to make sure they're being "well fed".
The tradition dates back to King Edward VII's reign in the early 1900s – and applies to all members of the royal clan.
As the festivities undeniably revolve around eating, the Royal Family first enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings before indulging themselves in an afternoon tea complete with a "gargantuan iced cake".
- Louis Allwood
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."
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