Queen Elizabeth 2 2011 Christmas message focus on family

Tomorrow, December 25, at 3pm the Christmas message by Queen Elizabeth will broadcast by select radio and television stations. These include the Royal Channel on the YouTube website and in Commonwealth countries.
The address was written by the Queen herself and was recorded on December 9. It usually has a strong religious framework, reflecting current issues with references to her own experiences over the past year. As head of the Commonwealth – often referred to as the family of nations , the position gives her another perspective on the role and strength of a family unit.
THE Queen’s Christmas message will focus on the strength of family, friends and the community working together. The family is an important institution for the monarch who is not only head of state but a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

The speech is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the government for advice but is able to voice her own views. The past 12 months have seen some momentous events for the Queen – from her historic visit to the Republic of Ireland to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
During the message, which was recorded on December 9 and will be broadcast in full on Christmas Day, the Queen will say: “Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals.”
The Duke of Edinburgh also celebrated his 90th birthday and the Queen presided over a major meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Perth, Australia.
In the broadcast, filmed in Buckingham Palace’s 1844 room, the Queen is wearing a new pair of glasses – rimless spectacles from an undisclosed manufacturer – a departure from her normal eyewear.
She wears a strawberry-red dress by Angela Kelly with her diamond-and-platinum Flame Lily brooch, which was a 21st birthday present from the children of then Southern Rhodesia.
At the start of the footage, the Queen can be seen meeting senior Sky News staff who produced this year’s Christmas message – a first for the broadcaster.
As the short extract from the annual address draws to a close, the Band of the Irish Guards are featured playing the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
There is also a performance of a nativity play by the children from St Joseph’s Catholic Infants’ School in Camberwell, south London.

ARTICLE REFERENCE: Herald Sun

Author Profile

Anthea

... qualified & experienced in journalism, creative writing, editing, the arts, art critique, paralegal, photography, teaching, research, event planning, motivational speaking, workshops for children and adults, visual arts etc. Click here for contact form. ...or email me here