Royal Christmas - the Queen's Christmas Day speech

The Queen's annual Christmas Day message this year was perhaps more low key than in recent years and had a far stronger personal element to it than most.  Elizabeth II reflected on those who are not there to enjoy the celebrations and, in an unusual move, there were close ups of portraits of her parents, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, as the monarch spoke.  The Queen also encouraged her fellow citizens to take time to reflect and contemplate to get more out of life.

 

Queen Elizabeth II pictured at the time she recorded her annual Christmas Day speech for 2013

 

But with the sure touch of a monarch who has done this kind of thing before, the Queen saved the bit she knew everyone wanted to see until the end.  Prince George of Cambridge was shown in previously private footage taken at his christening.  The little king in waiting sat happily with his mum and then his dad as endless snaps were taken and Kate was given her own starring role with a close up that showed her maternal love and pride beaming across the room towards her little boy.  It was the big 'ah' moment in a speech that veered from the Queen's more traditional path for her messages but it's not every year that a monarch secures her succession into a fourth generation.  If that's not an excuse to ring the changes at Christmas, then nothing is.