HM The Queen: Christmas Day Message

[LuluBlakey1]

I felt so sad for The Queen - it is the first time I have felt she is genuinely much more frail now and she was very open about the loss of Prince Phillip and how missed he is. I felt many people will relate to her message this year.

I thought she looked different (maybe just older which is obviously not unreasonable!! ) and thinner , shown by the dress/jacket not fitting.
I actually thought the choice of colour was quite harsh for her skin/hair although me and Dsis said it would be nice to see the queen wearing something soft or comfortable, rather than tailored dresses, although I doubt she would have turned up on TV in a dressing gown, or a Christmas jumper!🤭

😆 I would LOVE to see HMQ in a Xmas jumper!

The dress was ill fitting and it made her weight loss all the more noticeable. Surprising as she's used the same dress maker (Angela?) for years and you'd think they'd avoid that.

She did look frail and unwell and I also noticed her speech delivery was different, I wonder if that's in the editing as it was ITN not the BBC this time?

I wondered why ITN produced the Christmas message rather than than than the BBC.

Apparently it is produced and broadcast alternately by the BBC and its main rival, Independent Television News (ITN), with a biennial rotation.

I didn't know that, thought it was always the Beeb.

How interesting. I have to admit I always presumed it was the BBC. Well I’ve learnt something new today! Thank you.

It was solely the BBC until 1997 I think it said on Wiki. 🙂

She looked so frail and vulnerable. I think this past year has taken its toll on her. I wanted to cry buckets when she spoke about PP. What an amazing couple they were.

@Riapia

I thought it was the best speech she has ever done. Possibly because it came from the heart. Her voice has altered, yes, but it sounded firm and clear.

Yes, it seemed heartfelt and I admired her for managing to speak in such a way, as it is only months since PP died and she must miss him very much.

She did look thinner, although pretty good for her age. It would not surprise me if she succumbs to "broken heart syndrome" in the next few months, but then again she is an amazingly strong woman so could have years ahead of her, if she survives the next year. Whenever she goes, it will truly be the end of an era. Respect to the Queen.

@FantasticCrete

Yes HMQ looked frail but so smart and likeable. They lucked out with Catherine, who will take the royal family into the future.

Yes, Kate seems very well suited to her royal role, she makes it look effortless.

@GrazingSheep

Harry and Andrew conspicuous by their absence I thought...

As were Princess Anne
And Edward and Sophie..

Seems reasonable- it's only 10 minutes - She only mentioned Charles and William - and their wives. But the rest of her children were in the footage - except Andrew.
I think William was her only grandchild mentioned or in the footage. She didn't l mention any others and I didn't see them in the footage so it would look odd to mention Harry - although she did mention the 4 royal babies born this year which I assume includes Lilibet.

I thought it was a very good speech, I found it moving and also I thought the delivery seemed very sincere, maybe more natural than many of her speeches. She does seem older and more frail, but of course she is. She reminds me very much of my Nana who was the same age, and I think maybe that's part of the point of a head of state who is in some ways just a person who goes through all the stages of life rather than a political figure as such - it makes the state into something more like a family rather than a contract.

@SpanielsAreMyLife

I sadly think that could be her last Christmas broadcast. Losing Phillip has well and truly aged her 10 years, sadly very common in long term traditional marriages. It made my eyes well up at one point.

Her dress was very poorly fitted, which is something I can't ever remember seeing. It was far too big around her neck and shoulders.

I thought that about her dress as well

her mouth looked different and as if her lips were finding it difficult.

This^

My DH wondered if she'd had a stroke. Her face didn't move, neither did her eyes. Her lips barely opened when she spoke.

Her dress seemed ill fitting. She was sitting as still as a mannequin. The background had been added later as a PP has remarked.

She was very carefully placed behind a desk. I suspect that may have been added later, like the background.

Why would she have used a green screen? Where was she? Somewhere else? I need to rewatch it.

I thought she was wonderful. A truly remarkable woman who has led the most extraordinary life of service.

Agree with everyone else. I was shocked at how much thinner she is and how much more frail. First thing I noticed was the ill fitting dress and need for a proper bra. I wondered if she had had a stroke because of her speech. It’s possible she’s had a mini stroke. She has aged considerably since Philip does, not surprisingly. She’s had two years of not being able to live normally, with all the other difficulties she’s had to face. Andrew and Harry must have caused her a lot of anguish.
In addition, catching Covid must be a very real concern.
I did wonder if she will be with us next Christmas.

It made me cry ,she was born in the same year as my nonna who we lost 4 years ago . Just makes me emotional 😢

@XmasCrap

It was solely the BBC until 1997 I think it said on Wiki. 🙂

Wasn't the change as a result of the Panorama interview that the BBC did with Diana?

I think she's amazing, and her speech was incredibly moving.