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‘Annus Horribilis’: Why Queen Elizabeth II Called 1992 a Horrible Year

By: Jessica Pearce Rotondi

Updated: May 17, 2023 | Original: October 28, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II called 1992 her “annus horribilis,” or horrible year, in a speech marking the 40 th year of her reign, saying: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis '.”

The marriages of three of her four children ended; there was a fire at her beloved home, Windsor Castle; and the publication of a racy book and leaked phone conversations from Princess Diana and Prince Charles to their lovers—known as the “Squidgygate Tapes” and “Camillagate,” respectively—added scandal to a year when taxpayers were questioning the cost of the royal family. Media scrutiny on these matters exacerbated the Queen’s private pain.

Divorce and Separation

1992 was a bad year for royal marriages. In March, the Queen’s son Prince Andrew separated from Sarah Ferguson. Ferguson would reappear in headlines in August when the tabloids published topless photos of her having her feet kissed by American businessman John Bryan in the South of France. “The worst part to the British public was that her young daughters were present and a taxpayer-funded policeman was disporting himself on a lounger close by,” says former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole.

In April, the queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, divorced Mark Phillips , her husband of 18 years. And in December, Prince Charles, heir to the throne, separated from Princess Diana following a year of tabloid coverage that broadcasted their marital troubles to the world in a media blitz known as “ The War of the Waleses.”

The royal separations and scandals became fodder for critics of the monarchy like then-Labor MP Dennis Skinner, who said: "It's high time we stopped this charade of swearing allegiance to the queen and her heirs and successors when we do not know from time to time who they are .”

Andrew Morton Releases 'Diana: Her True Story'

Andrew Morton’s Diana: Her True Story caused a sensation when it was published in 1992. It named Camilla Parker Bowles as Prince Charles’ lover and detailed Diana’s struggles with mental health and bulimia. 

“Morton’s book effectively shattered the mystique of the monarchy,” says Carly Ledbetter, a senior reporter at HuffPost who covers the royal family. “One could easily conclude that The Firm was messy, it was human, and it wasn’t as impenetrable as everyone thought.”

It wasn’t until after Princess Diana’s death in 1997 that she was revealed to have cooperated with Morton on the book, providing materials and recordings to him via Dr. James Colthurst.

Leaked ‘Squidgygate’ and ‘Camillagate’ Tapes

In August 1992, The Enquirer published transcriptions of a private phone conversation between Princess Diana and car dealer James Gilbey from New Year’s Eve 1989. The intimacy of the conversation and his referral to the married princess as “darling” and “squidgey” ignited a scandal… alongside comments Diana made about “all I’ve done for this f***ing family.” “Audiences and royal watchers around the world couldn’t get enough of the intimate details,” says Ledbetter. “People were split between horror and fascination.”

“ Squidgygate ” was quickly overshadowed by the November reveal of a private call between then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. It was nicknamed “Camillagate,” then “Tampongate” for a particularly intimate wish Charles expressed to Camilla over the phone. “He was an object of ridicule internationally,” Cole says. “The royal family became less popular in the public’s esteem.”

“Tampongate and Squidgeygate had—and continue to have—an enormous impact on the credibility of the royal family,” says Ledbetter. “The recorded phone calls greatly impacted the public perception of the heir to the throne and called into question Charles’ ability to one day be king.”

Windsor Castle Fire

On November 20, 1992, a fire broke out in Windsor Castle that burned for 15 hours and caused about $47.5 million worth of damage . The historic royal home was first built by William the Conqueror in 1070. Valuable works of art and furniture were saved from the blaze by a human chain that included palace staff and Prince Andrew.

The Windsor Castle fire was devastating to the Queen, who had spent much of her childhood and formative teenage years there. “She regarded it as home because she spent most of the Second World War there,” says Cole. “She was not evacuated to Canada. The Queen Mother famously said, ‘The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave [England].’” Windsor Castle was also the site of Elizabeth’s beloved Royal Windsor Horse Show , which she attended every year since its inception in 1943.

The fire renewed public scrutiny of the cost associated with the upkeep of the royal family. Windsor Castle is owned by the crown, not the monarch personally, and the question of who would pay for repairs sparked debate—especially Prime Minister John Major’s suggestion that the public foot the bill. Labour politicians like Alan Williams, a member of the House of Commons public accounts committee, implored the Queen to pay for it from her untaxed income, arguing the fire was an example of the "inconsistency of the relationship between the monarchy and the taxpayer."

Queen Elizabeth acted quickly. To fund repairs, she opened parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time. In another shrewd move, she volunteered to start paying income tax—a tax the sovereign had been exempt from since 1937 . She also reduced the civil list, the number of royals whose expenses are paid by parliament . To make up the difference, she used her income from the inherited Duchy of Lancaster . “She’s always believed in keeping up with the times,” says Cole. “It was a token effort to join the real world.”

Queen Appeals for 'Gentleness' and 'Good Humor'

The “Annus Horribilis Speech,” as it has come to be known, marked the close of a difficult 40 th year in power for Queen Elizabeth II. She closed with a plea for kindness: “No institution…should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't. But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and…scrutiny…can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humor and understanding.” 

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• Entertainment
• <i>The Crown</i> Depicts 1992 as the Queen’s ‘Annus Horribilis.’ Here’s What Happened That Year

The Crown Depicts 1992 as the Queen’s ‘Annus Horribilis.’ Here’s What Happened That Year

Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Crown.

Queen Elizabeth II marked the 40th year of her reign with a surprisingly vulnerable speech. The usually taciturn and steady monarch stood up in front of 500 guests at a Corporation of London Guildhall luncheon on Nov. 24, 1992 to declare the past year the lowest point of her tenure.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure,” she said. “In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’.” It was a plea that the New York Times called “about the only public utterance that ever betrayed any inner turmoil.”

It was, indeed, a horrible year. Queen Elizabeth II suffered through a series of disasters both personal and symbolic: Three of her children separated from their spouses; the family was plagued by scandal in the tabloids; and her beloved childhood home caught fire. The scandals and mishaps shattered the royal myth. Just four days after the fire, she gave what would come to be known as the annus horribilis speech .

In her remarks, Elizabeth asked for empathy from her subjects as she struggled through a difficult time. “No institution, city, monarchy, whatever, should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t,” she said. “But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humor, and understanding.” She received a standing ovation.

Here’s everything that happened in that difficult year that brought even the most stoic monarch nearly to tears.

Read More: As King Charles III Sets Out to Win Hearts and Minds, The Crown Dredges Up His Darkest Chapter

Three of the queen’s children separated in the same year

Royal marriages suffered quite the blow in 1992. Three of the queen’s four children separated from their partners in a single year.

In March, Prince Andrew separated from Sarah Ferguson. In April, Princess Anne divorced her husband of 18 years, Mark Phillips. And though the official announcement was not made until Dec. 9, after the annus horribilis speech, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, separated from Princess Diana.

In his book Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II , author Robert Hardman writes that the Queen took each breakup as a personal blow. “Outwardly stoical, as ever, the Queen was finding the divorce talks deeply upsetting,” Hardman writes. “Another former member of the Household recalls that, every now and then, there would be a glimpse of her despair.”

“It distressed her much more than she let on,” a former staffer told Hardman. “I said, ‘Ma’am, it seems to be happening everywhere. This is almost common practice.’ But she just said, ‘Three out of four!’ in sheer sadness and exasperation. One shouldn’t underestimate the pain she’s been through.”

Read More: How A Sprawling Drama About Elizabeth II Became Netflix’s Crown Jewel

The Diana biography

The various separations and divorces were preceded by seedy tabloid stories that dragged the royal family through the mud. Andrew Morton’s biography Diana: Her True Story made headlines when it was published in 1992 for its revelations that Charles had been cheating on Diana with Camilla Parker Bowles and that Diana had struggled with mental health issues and disordered eating.

At the time, Diana denied cooperating with Morton on the book. Only after her death did Morton reveal that the princess had supplied him with tape recordings detailing her struggles. The book seemed to break a dam in the royal public discourse. Of course the perfection of the royal family was a facade—there were surely many unhappy marriages preceding those of three of Elizabeth’s four children. But the family kept up appearances, and the public seemed happy, for the most part, to buy into the illusion.

The exposure of Charles’ infidelity, and descriptions of emotional cruelty at the hands of royal family members, rendered the lofty beings in the palace knowable and thus open to critique. In her biography of Diana, The Diana Chronicles , Tina Brown marks the publication of Morton’s book as a turning point for the royal family. Never again would they seem untouchable.

“The storm, when it broke, did more than make the teacups dance. It blew through the House of Windsor and every assumption of Establishment consensus—discretion, deference, and mutual protection. Its assertion was that Diana wouldn’t settle for the system of structural infidelity that maintained royal marital facades of the past,” Brown writes. “If the royal family was as imperfect as every other family in the kingdom, it might as well be treated as such—an idea that had implications beyond the soap opera of the moment.”

Read More: Why Princess Diana Is So Hard to Get Right Onscreen

Tampongate, Squidgygate, and Sarah Ferguson’s photos

In August of 1992, The Enquirer published the transcript of a private phone conversation between Princess Di and her friend James Gibley, which took place on New Year’s Eve 1989. Gilbey referred to Diana multiple times by the nickname “squidgey,” suggesting an intimacy to the call. Diana complained on the phone about “all [she’d] done for this f—ing family.”

That same month, the Queen’s newly-separated daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson appeared in tabloid photos topless having her feet kissed by American businessman John Bryan.

But both of those incidents would quickly be overshadowed by “Tampongate.” In a very intimate 1989 conversation, Charles told Camilla over the phone that he wished he could live “inside her trousers.” When she teased him that he would be reincarnated as “knickers,” he joked that it would be just his luck to return as a tampon instead. The conversation was recorded by an amateur radio enthusiast and sold to the tabloids. First teased in the papers in the fall of 1992 and published in full in January of 1993, “Tampongate” seemed to not only confirm Charles and Camilla’s affair but undercut Charles’ authority as the future king.

Read More: The 7 Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch About Princess Diana

The Windsor Castle Fire

On Nov. 20, 1992, a fire broke out at Windsor Castle and burned for 15 hours. A royal residence first built by William the Conquerer in 1070, Windsor Castle was home to the Queen during World War II. The royal family had had the option to evacuate to Canada during the war, but refused to abandon England.

Elizabeth was personally devastated by the destruction of her childhood home. The blaze burned for 15 hours and destroyed nine apartments and an additional 100 rooms, though many priceless works of art were saved by the staff. Nor was the symbolism lost on the media.

“The graphic destruction of the ancient stronghold after which the dynasty was named reverberated eerily with the catalogue of royal disasters of the previous months,” writes Robert Lacey in his biography Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II .

The fire caused $47.5 million in damage, and royalists clashed with the public over who would foot the bill for repairs. The crown, not the monarch, owns Windsor Castle, and when Prime Minister John Major suggested the public could pay to restore the castle, he was met with an outcry. “The immediate response was outrage—a popular revolt of astonishing unanimity and power,” writes Lacey. “While people might feel sorry for the queen as a person, the misadventures of her children in the previous months had left even her most loyal supporters embarrassed and angry.”

To fund repairs, Queen Elizabeth II opened parts of Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time. She also volunteered to start paying income tax for the first time in her reign.

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Why did Queen Elizabeth II call 1992 her 'annus horribilis'?

The fifth season of "The Crown," featuring a new cast , will focus on the the royal family's challenges in the 1990s — including 1992, a year the late Queen Elizabeth II deemed her "annus horribilis," or "horrible year."

She uttered the phrase in a speech on Nov. 24, 1992, in honor of the 40th anniversary of her accession , or formal confirmation as monarch.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis,’” she said during the speech.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis,’” she continued.

So, what made 1992 so ... "horribilis"? We're breaking it all down for you.

Princess Diana was the subject of a tell-all book

Andrew Morton’s bestselling biography, “Diana: Her True Story ,” was released in February 1992. The book contained revelations about Princess Diana's marriage to Prince Charles and her struggles with mental health and eating disorders.

When the book was published, both Diana and Morton refuted claims that she was involved with the book. But after her death in 1997 , Morton revealed Diana had been his primary source, per the New York Times .

Three of her four children separated from their spouses

In 1992, three of the queen's four children separated from their spouses.

Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson announced their separation in March 1992. The couple, who share two daughters , finalized their divorce in 1996.

After announcing their separation in 1989 , Princess Anne and Mark Phillips finalized their divorce in 1992. Anne remarried the same year, marrying the queen's former equerry Timothy Laurence in December.

Then, on Dec. 9, 1992, news broke that Prince Charles, now King Charles III, and Princess Diana were separating .

“It is announced from Buckingham Palace that, with regret, the Prince and Princess of Wales have decided to separate. The Royal Highnesses have no plans to divorce, and their constitutional positions are unaffected,” British Prime Minister John Major said in a statement at the time.

The queen recommended Charles and Diana divorce in 1995; the divorce was finalized in 1996.

Windsor Castle caught fire in 1992

On top of her children's marital woes, Queen Elizabeth II also experienced a fire at her home, Windsor Castle, in November 1992.

Per History.com, the fire broke out in her private chapel and spread to 100+ rooms. It took 15 hours and 220+ firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Prince Andrew worked with staff and soldiers to save artwork from the castle during the fire, which ruined a few pieces from the queen's collection. It took five years to fully renovate the castle.

More about Season 5 of 'The Crown'

• Princess Diana and Prince Charles' relationship timeline
• How the cast of Season 5 of 'The Crown' compares to the real life figures
• 'The Crown’ Season 5 time period: The events and years it'll cover

Chrissy Callahan covers a range of topics for TODAY.com, including fashion, beauty, pop culture and food. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching bad reality TV and consuming copious amounts of cookie dough.

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The Queen's 'Annus Horribilus' Speech: Why 1992 Was A 'Horrible Year' For Her

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

The fifth season of "The Crown," featuring a new cast , will focus on the the royal family's challenges in the 1990s — including 1992, a year the late Queen Elizabeth II deemed her "annus horribilis," or "horrible year."

She uttered the phrase in a speech on Nov. 24, 1992, in honor of the 40th anniversary of her accession , or formal confirmation as monarch.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis,’” she said during the speech.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis,’” she continued.

So, what made 1992 so ... "horribilis"? We're breaking it all down for you.

Princess Diana was the subject of a tell-all book

Andrew Morton’s bestselling biography, “Diana: Her True Story ,” was released in February 1992. The book contained revelations about Princess Diana's marriage to Prince Charles and her struggles with mental health and eating disorders.

When the book was published, both Diana and Morton refuted claims that she was involved with the book. But after her death in 1997 , Morton revealed Diana had been his primary source, per the New York Times .

Three of her four children separated from their spouses

In 1992, three of the queen's four children separated from their spouses.

Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson announced their separation in March 1992. The couple, who share two daughters , finalized their divorce in 1996.

After announcing their separation in 1989 , Princess Anne and Mark Phillips finalized their divorce in 1992. Anne remarried the same year, marrying the queen's former equerry Timothy Laurence in December.

Then, on Dec. 9, 1992, news broke that Prince Charles, now King Charles III, and Princess Diana were separating .

“It is announced from Buckingham Palace that, with regret, the Prince and Princess of Wales have decided to separate. The Royal Highnesses have no plans to divorce, and their constitutional positions are unaffected,” British Prime Minister John Major said in a statement at the time.

The queen recommended Charles and Diana divorce in 1995; the divorce was finalized in 1996.

Windsor Castle caught fire in 1992

On top of her children's marital woes, Queen Elizabeth II also experienced a fire at her home, Windsor Castle, in November 1992.

Per History.com, the fire broke out in her private chapel and spread to 100+ rooms. It took 15 hours and 220+ firefighters to extinguish the flames.

Prince Andrew worked with staff and soldiers to save artwork from the castle during the fire, which ruined a few pieces from the queen's collection. It took five years to fully renovate the castle.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

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History | November 8, 2022

Why 1992 Was Such a ‘Horrible Year’ for Elizabeth II and the Royal Family

The fifth season of “The Crown” explores the dissolution of Charles and Diana’s marriage, a catastrophic fire and other Windsor tragedies

Meilan Solly

Associate Editor, History

Speaking to a crowd gathered at the London Guildhall on November 24, 1992, Elizabeth II reflected on the previous 11 months: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis ”—Latin for “horrible year.” The British queen added, “I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.”

She wasn’t.

Over the course of 1992, the royal family endured a cascade of misfortune, from the breakdowns of three royal marriages to a devastating fire at Windsor Castle. The British press and public followed these events with almost voyeuristic glee, pulling back the curtain on the notoriously private family and questioning the very institution of the monarchy itself.

This concentration of ill-fated happenings plays a central role in the fifth season of “ The Crown ,” Netflix’s award-winning dramatization of Elizabeth’s reign, which premieres on November 9. The season begins around late 1990 and ends sometime before Princess Diana’s death in a car crash in August 1997. A new cast led by Imelda Staunton (as Elizabeth) and Jonathan Pryce (as the queen’s husband, Prince Philip ) presides over this tumultuous period in royal history, continuing the show’s tradition of replacing its actors every two seasons. Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki round out the cast as Prince Charles and Diana, respectively.

Ahead of the series’ return to the small screen, here’s what you need to know about Elizabeth’s annus horribilis and other events dramatized in season five , which is poised to be the show’s most controversial yet.

What events does season five cover?

Season four of “The Crown” concluded with an episode titled “ War .” Set around Christmas 1990, the episode’s name referred to a number of conflicts: the battle raging between Charles and Diana, who have been unhappily married for almost a decade; the push to oust Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from office; and ongoing clashes between the rebellious Diana and the more traditional royal family.

Season five picks up where “War” left off, chronicling the separations or divorces of three royal couples (Charles and Diana, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson , and Princess Anne and Mark Phillips ). Key moments featured include the publication of a tell-all book about Diana in 1992, the leak of the “Camillagate” tapes in 1993 and Diana’s precedent-breaking 1995 interview with Martin Bashir of the BBC.

Beyond these affairs of the heart, the season addresses such topics as the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991; the return of British-controlled Hong Kong to China in 1997; and the royals’ relationship with Conservative Party leader John Major , who served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997. Another storyline of note is the royals’ introduction to Egyptian businessman Mohamed al-Fayed and his son Dodi , who died alongside Diana in the 1997 car crash. (The pair’s deaths will be addressed in season six of “The Crown,” which is currently filming in Europe.)

Why is season five so controversial?

Previous seasons of the series have sparked spirited debate over historical accuracy in period dramas. But this season is particularly controversial because “it’s dramatizing events that are so close to the present day,” says Carolyn Harris , a historian at the University of Toronto in Canada. Whereas seasons one and two of “The Crown” explored comparatively distant events of the 1950s and ’60s, season five touches on readily remembered topics that many viewers already have “strong opinions on,” she adds.

Another concern is the timing of the new episodes, which arrive just two months after Elizabeth’s death at age 96 and her eldest son’s ascension to the throne as Charles III . “We’re seeing some of the most difficult moments in Charles’ personal life … being brought to the public’s attention once again,” Harris says.

One notable critic of “The Crown” is actor Judi Dench, who recently called for Netflix to add a disclaimer at the start of every episode. “[T]he closer the drama comes to our present times, the more freely it seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crude sensationalism,” the stage and screen legend wrote in a letter to the London Times . Dench’s comments followed similarly reproving remarks made by Major, who described the series’ depiction of Charles attempting to force his mother to abdicate in 1991 as “ malicious nonsense . ”

Perhaps in response to these critiques, Netflix added a disclaimer to its official trailer on October 21, updating the YouTube video ’s description to read, “Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign.” Previously, the streaming service had never explicitly marketed the show as “fictional.”

Reflecting on the controversy, showrunner Peter Morgan tells Variety , “I think we must all accept that the 1990s [were] a difficult time for the royal family, and … Charles will almost certainly have some painful memories of that period. But that doesn’t mean that, with the benefit of hindsight, history will be unkind to him, or the monarchy. The show certainly isn’t. I have enormous sympathy for a man in his position—indeed, a family in their position.”

What happened during Elizabeth’s annus horribilis?

The 40th year of the queen’s reign , 1992 saw a series of embarrassing events shatter the British public’s vision of the royals as “the perfect family,” according to biographer Andrew Morton . Before the 1990s, “trusted editors, writers, interviewers and program-makers” often presented a sanitized, royal-approved version of the “dutiful, sober and industrious family,” writes Morton in Diana: Her True Story . But as tabloids proliferated and gross invasions of privacy became the norm, the relationship between the royals and the press deteriorated—a trend that continues today .

The year kicked off with the publication of photos linking Sarah Ferguson , Duchess of York, to Texas millionaire Steve Wyatt. Married to the queen’s second-eldest son, Andrew , since 1986, the duchess, also known as Fergie, separated from her husband that March. In August, Fergie once again made headlines after the Daily Mirror leaked intimate snapshots of her with financial advisor John Bryan. Andrew and Fergie officially divorced in May 1996, just over four years after their separation.

“I must explain that the British press at the moment is completely and utterly cruel and abusive and so invasive,” Ferguson told Oprah Winfrey in a 1996 interview . “It is very cruel and very painful when you are going to try and find the feelings within to be on such a public stage.”

In April 1992, a second royal marriage came to a close, with the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, divorcing Phillips, her husband of almost 20 years. Both rumored to have engaged in extramarital affairs , the couple had separated three years prior, in 1989—the same year an anonymous source stole private letters written to Anne by Timothy Laurence , a household assistant for the queen, and shared them with the Sun . Anne and Laurence wed in December 1992 and have been together ever since.

Why was 1992 a turning point in Charles and Diana’s marriage?

Anne and Andrew’s older brother, Charles, navigated similar romantic troubles in 1992. Within a few years of Charles and Diana’s storybook 1981 wedding , the couple’s relationship had irretrievably broken down . Both had extramarital affairs: Charles with his former girlfriend (and current queen consort) Camilla Parker Bowles and Diana with army captain James Hewitt, among others . As the prince observed in a 1986 letter , he and his wife were fundamentally incompatible, making the marriage “dreadfully destructive” for both. In 1988, Vanity Fair offered a stark assessment of Diana’s everyday life:

She was the love object of everyone in the world except her husband. For the galling truth was that, despite all her beauty and style, she bored him. And she was faced in her mid-20s with something she found chilling to contemplate: a fairy-tale marriage that had cooled into an arrangement.

By 1992, rumors of the couple’s estrangement were rampant. That spring, Morton published Diana: Her True Story , a searing biography that contained intimate details of Diana’s mental health struggles and Charles’ ongoing affair with Camilla. Upon the book’s release, both Morton and Diana denied that the princess was directly involved in its creation; only after Diana’s death in 1997 did Morton reveal she’d provided audio tapes that served as the basis for his reporting. (Charles also worked with the press to tell his side of the story, collaborating with journalist Jonathan Dimbleby to produce an authorized biography in 1994.)

“Morton’s book effectively shattered the mystique of the monarchy,” Carly Ledbetter , a reporter who covers the royals for HuffPost , tells History.com . “One could easily conclude that the Firm”—an unofficial nickname for the royal family—“was messy, it was human and it wasn’t as impenetrable as everyone thought.”

Following the publication of Morton’s book, the queen and Prince Philip called Diana and Charles to Windsor Palace for a meeting on their marriage. As Morton wrote in a later edition of the book, the older royals flatly refused to “countenance even the idea of separation, in any form,” until Diana and Charles tried to resolve their differences.

Rather than bringing the couple closer together, the remainder of 1992 only widened the growing gulf between them. In August, the Sun leaked a transcript of a phone call in which James Gilbey, heir to a gin company, repeatedly called Diana “darling” and the pet name “Squidgy.” She, in turn, used an expletive when referencing all she’d done for the royal family.

Three months later, in an episode popularly dubbed “ Camillagate ,” People published details of an intimate call between Camilla and Charles. The heir to the throne joked about his desire to “live inside your trousers or something,” prompting Camilla to ask, “What are you going to turn into, a pair of knickers?” In response, Charles remarked that it would be “just my luck” to come back as a tampon.

“The backlash [to Charles’ comments] was savage,” wrote Diana’s former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, in his 2017 memoir . “Establishment figures normally loyal to the future king and country were appalled, and some questioned the prince’s suitability to rule.”

As Dominic West, who plays Charles in the new season of “The Crown,” tells Entertainment Weekly , contemporary observers are perhaps more likely to view the couple behind the leaked call in a sympathetic light.

“I remember thinking it was something so sordid and deeply, deeply embarrassing [at the time],” he says. “Looking back on it … what you’re conscious of is that the blame was not with these two people, two lovers, who were having a private conversation. What’s really [clear now] is how invasive and disgusting was the press’ attention to it.”

Charles and Diana’s last-ditch attempt to reconcile—a four-day trip to South Korea in November 1992—failed, and on December 9 , just two weeks after Elizabeth’s annus horribilis speech, Buckingham Palace officially announced the couple’s separation . They divorced in August 1996; Charles wed Camilla in 2005.

How did the annus horribilis affect the monarchy?

Capping off the personal turmoil experienced by the royal family in 1992 was the November 20 fire at Windsor Castle . Ignited by a faulty spotlight in a private chapel, the blaze destroyed 115 rooms in the royal residence and took 225 firefighters some 15 hours to extinguish. Most of the castle’s historic art and treasures remained undamaged, and no one was seriously injured . But the structure itself—the oldest inhabited castle in the world, dating to the 11th century—required extensive repairs.

The fire marked a “personal blow [to] the queen, as Windsor Castle was one of her favorite residences,” says Harris. “It was where she’d spent the Second World War, and it was where she would spend the Covid-19 pandemic. It was where the queen tended to go in times of crisis, but it also [represented] the monarchy, the name of the dynasty: the House of Windsor. … So a fire at Windsor Castle really seemed to symbolize the monarchy in jeopardy.”

Initially, Prime Minister Major proposed that British taxpayers foot the multimillion-pound restoration bill. But politicians, the public and the press alike rejected this plan, pointing out the irony of taxpayers covering the costs when the queen herself paid no income tax. In response to the backlash, Major announced that the queen would begin doing exactly that —a change she had reportedly suggested to him weeks before the fire. To help fund the restoration, the crown also opened Buckingham Palace to the public for the first time, charging visitors £8 for entry and ultimately covering 70 percent of the total bill of £36.5 million.

In her annus horribilis speech, delivered just days after the “tragic fire at Windsor,” Elizabeth referred to the incident as simply the latest episode in “these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty.” Addressing the mounting criticism leveled at her family, she acknowledged that “no institution—city, monarchy, whatever—should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t.” At the same time, the queen added, “scrutiny … can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humor and understanding.”

The Windsors certainly weren’t the first British royals to face public criticism , much of it aimed at whether their conduct was “in keeping with the wider values of the country,” says Harris. In light of the younger royals’ marriage troubles, for instance, Brits debated whether Elizabeth had parented her children to the exacting moral standards she’d been known for before the annus horribilis. Royal scandals “became bigger than the people involved,” Harris adds. “They became political discussions about the future of the monarchy [or] where society was headed, where the divorce rate was going, how children were being raised.”

Horrible as it was, 1992 didn’t irrevocably damage the royal family’s reputation. (Whether the same can be said of more recent headline-making years, from 2019 to 2021 , is up for debate.) Senior royals convened a “ Way Ahead ” group that sought to make the centuries-old monarchy more responsive to current events and the changing tides of public opinion. Weathering such crises as Diana’s death in 1997 and her grandson Harry’s exit from the royal family in January 2020, the queen maintained a high level of popularity among the British public until her death in September.

At the beginning of Elizabeth’s reign, the monarchy was a “distant and remote institution,” Vernon Bogdanor , a political scientist at King’s College London, told the Guardian in 2012. By the end of her life, he added, it was “a much more utilitarian institution, to be judged by what it contributes to public service and community feeling.”

Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, at the age of 25, “so in many ways, the public hadn’t known her or her opinions particularly well before” she became queen, says Harris. Comparatively, Charles, who took the crown at age 73, has spent a lifetime sharing his opinions on everything from the threat of climate change to architecture .

“We see a shift in generations, where there was a great deal of the queen’s life … that was kept out of the public eye, compared to Charles’ personal life unfolding before the audience of the press and the wider public, [with] people weighing in on how [he and the rest of the royals] should behave,” Harris continues.

She adds, “Certainly those kinds of debates had happened previously,” including when Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry socialite Wallis Simpson, “but the 1990s really accelerates the public passing judgment on the personal lives of members of the royal family.”

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The true story behind the Queen's 'annus horribilis' speech shown in 'The Crown' — including what the show changed

• Season five of "The Crown" shows Queen Elizabeth II deliver the famous " annus horribilis" speech.
• The late monarch appeared to reference the Windsor fire and the breakdown of three royal marriages.
• However, the speech h as been almost entirely rewritten for the show to make this more obvious.

Anyone watching " The Crown," would agree: 1992 was not a good year for Queen Elizabeth II.

The fourth episode of the new season of the historical drama, aptly titled "Annus Horribilis," dives into why exactly this was the case, showing the late monarch grappling with many events that threaten to destabilize the integrity of the royal family from the inside out.

Here's the true story behind the episode, and what was changed for the purposes of dramatization.

Annus horribilis is a Latin phrase that translates to "horrible year"

Although Queen Elizabeth II popularized the phrase, it existed long before she delivered her 1992 speech at Guildhall in London, England. One of its earliest recorded uses was in 1891, according to the  London Quarterly Review.

The event the Queen attended when she reflected on her difficult year was supposed to be a happy occasion. It was thrown to mark her 40th year on the throne, also known as her Ruby Jubilee.

The Queen delivered her speech four days after a fire broke out at Windsor Castle, causing more than £36.5 million in damage

It's understandable that the Queen perhaps wasn't in the mood to celebrate as just four days before, on November 20, 1992, a fire broke out at Windsor Castle, the royal family's largest and oldest residence.

The castle, which overlooks London's River Thames, was engulfed in flames for more than 15 hours before firefighters could extinguish it, per the Royal Collection Trust .

Related stories

The blaze caused more than £36.5 million worth of damage, although fortunately, many priceless works of art and furniture were saved.

1992 was also the year that the marriages of three of the Queen's four children broke down

Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne all ended their respective marriages the same year.

The Queen's second son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his wife, Sarah Ferguson, announced that they were officially separating on March 19, 1992, two months after photographs pertaining to an affair between Ferguson and Texan oil millionaire Steve Wyatt were published in the British tabloids.

The next month, on April 23, 1992, the monarch's only daughter Princess Anne finalized her divorce from her husband, Captain Mark Phillips. The Princess Royal and Phillips initially announced their intention to separate in 1989 but had not yet gone through with the official paperwork.

Lastly, Prince Charles and Diana's marriage also came to an end. While the couple's separation was announced on December 9, 1992, a few weeks after the Queen's speech, there had been many telling signs throughout the year that their royal romance was as good as over. 

Diana had secretly worked with royal biographer Andrew Morton on the sensational book "Diana: Her True Story," which exposed Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles as well as the other problems in their marriage.

Additionally, one of Diana's own affairs came to light in August 1992 when The Sun newspaper acquired a secretly recorded phone call conversation between Diana and Gilbey's Gin heir James Gilbey. The ensuing scandal was dubbed "Squidgygate," as Gilbey affectionately called Diana "Squidgy."

Charles' own leaked phone conversation scandal, known as "Camillagate" and "Tampongate," was not made public until 1993.

"The Crown" has almost entirely rewritten the speech and even the "annus horribilis" line has been tweaked slightly

The speech shown on "The Crown" vastly differs from the speech the Queen actually delivered, which can be read on the  Royal Family's official website.  

In her original speech, the Queen doesn't make overt references to the difficulties she's faced in her own life. Instead, she mentions the "last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty" and wonders "how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year." 

Meanwhile, the show's version is far more personal, with the Queen touching upon the many royal scandals of 1992 in the line: "No institution is beyond reproach, and no member of it either."

In "The Crown," the Queen goes on to say: "The high standards we in the monarchy are held to by the public must be the same benchmark to which we hold ourselves personally. If we can't admit the errors of our past, what hope for reconciliation can there be?"

Additionally, in the real speech, the late monarch credited the labeling of the year as an "annus horribilis" to one of her advisors and said: "In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'annus horribilis.'"

The "sympathetic correspondent" was later revealed to be her former assistant private secretary, Sir Edward Ford, according to his obituary in  The Guardian.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

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The Queen’s annus horribilis: What happened in 1992 and what does the phrase mean?

The meaning behind The Queen's famous phrase

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The Queen's 'annus horribilis' of 1992 takes centre stage in The Crown Season Five, but what exactly does the Latin term mean, and what actually happened in the infamous year? 

If you're anything like us, you've already binge-watched the entirety of The Crown season five and are now researching every scene of the royal drama's new episodes.  From Princess Diana's revenge dress to the Windsor Castle fire and Princess Diana's Panorama interview , there were plenty of shocking royal moments – some fact and some fictional – to dissect after the first viewing of the Netflix series. The fifth series also introduced viewers to a fresh batch of talented newcomers, with acting heavyweights like Imelda Staunton and Dominic West joining The Crown Season Five's cast as the Queen and Prince Charles, respectively. Whilst a famous Australian actress is now playing Diana in The Crown season 5 too - taking over from Emma Corrin's acclaimed stint.

It's no secret that The Crown Season 5 explores the Queen's 'annus horribilis', with Episode 4 even being titled with the Latin term. Her Majesty uttered the phrase herself in November 1992 during a public speech, in reference to the string of misfortunes she'd endured over the last eleven months. Here's everything you need to know about what exactly 'annus horribilis' means, and why Her Majesty used it to describe her painful year. 

What does annus horribilis mean?

'Annus horribilis' is Latin for a disastrous or horrible year, with its first known usage dating back to 1890. It became much more famous though following Queen Elizabeth 's speech in 1992.

Its earliest citation in print is from a report in  The Guardian , March 1985: "Unlike the earlier Kostelec stories, however, The Engineer of Human Souls was written in exile in Toronto, where he was driven by the annus mirabilis, annus horribilis of 1968."

It was again used in the Sunday Times in 1988 and the Financial Times in 1990, before skyrocketing into mainstream discourse after the Queen first used it in 1992. 

On the flip side, "annus mirabilis", the Latin for 'wonderful year', has been around for centuries. It's understood it was first used in John Dryden's 1667 poem, 'Annus Mirabilis', which detailed the Great Fire of London. 

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Why was 1992 called annus horribilis?

The Queen called 1992 an 'annus horribilis' as it was a disastrous year for the Royal Family.  Her Majesty endured a litany of hardships over the 12 months, including the collapse of three royal marriages and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle. 

The British monarchy's reputation during this period was also in serious jeopardy, as public concerns for its lavish spending and relevance in a modern world grew in the face of rising social inequality. 

The Queen first used the term 'annus horribilis' on November 24, 1992, during a speech at London Guildhall. 

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis ," she said, before adding, "I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so."

Queen delivers her famous 'annus horribilis' speech in 1992

What happened in the Queen's annus horribilis?

The Queen's annus horribilis of 1992 was marked by a series of unfortunate events for the monarch, culminating with a devastating fire at her beloved Windsor Castle in Berkshire. 

Caused by a faulty spotlight, the blaze broke out on November 20 and took emergency services over 15 hours to extinguish. Over 100 rooms were destroyed by the fire, including Queen Victoria's chapel and St George’s Hall. The damages cost a whopping £36.5 million to repair. 

The fire at Windsor Castle had been preceded by a year of strained family relations for the Queen, most of which related to her grown children's tumultuous romantic lives. At the beginning of 1992, UK tabloids published photos of her daughter-in-law, the Duchess of York, that linked her to Texas millionaire Steve Wyatt. That March, Sarah Ferguson filed for divorce from Prince Andrew.

In April, Princess Anne divorced from her husband, Mark Phillips, after 19 years of marriage. The couple had been separated since 1989, however, having reportedly both engaged in extramarital romances. In December 1992, Anne married Navy officer, Timothy Laurence, after years of close friendship. 

The most famous royal split to occur in the Queen's annus horribilis, or perhaps ever, was the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana . The couple had endured problems in their marriage ever since their 1981 royal wedding, with the prince's affair with Ms. Camilla Parker Bowles dooming the union from the start. 

Princess Diana was reportedly also unfaithful, dating a number of other men – including army captain James Hewitt – during the marriage. They separated in 1992 after details of their respective affairs started to make headlines news and the truth of their unhappy marriage became impossible for the Royal Family to ignore. Their divorce was finalized in 1996, one year before Princess Diana's tragic death .

The Queen’s Annus Horribilis speech in full

On 24 November 1992, the Queen delivered the following speech at Guildhall in London, to mark the 40th anniversary of her ascension:

My Lord Mayor,

Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today.

This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish.

Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real 'gathering of the clans'.

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.

And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for 'only half a glass, please'.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, "Ma'am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family". The Queen's reply was: "Too fervently, no; too often, yes". I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim "moderation in all things".

I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.

But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.

No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic.

There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution - City, Monarchy, whatever - should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't.

But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding.

This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls "The changes and chances of this mortal life".

You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that.

Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all - the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign.

You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers - fervent, I hope, but not too frequent - have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks.

And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

*Source: Royal Family website

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What Happened During Queen Elizabeth’s Annus Horribilis

Disaster after disaster hit the British royal family in 1992.

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The monarch chose not to elaborate in 1992 on exactly why she conceded that it was “not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.” However, the many ways in which the royal family had made the headlines over the previous months left few in any doubt as to what events she was referring to. We take a look at exactly what really happened during that eventful year.

February: A Lone Princess Diana at The Taj Mahal Sets Sombre Tone

When Prince Charles and Princess Diana embarked on a royal tour to India in February 1992, Palace officials presumably hoped it would be resonate diplomatically on the world stage. But the trip is most remembered for a very different reason—one of the most iconic images of Diana ever taken showing her sat alone outside the Taj Mahal. With Charles working elsewhere, Diana visited the stunning 17th Century marble mausoleum by herself and posed for an image that would foreshadow their split and become symbolic of her feelings of isolation.

March: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Announce Separation

In years to come, Prince Andrew would heap far greater scandal on the royal family. But on March 19 1992, it was the breakdown of his marriage that was creating undesirable headlines. The BBC reported that the Queen found speculation around Andrew and Sarah’s relationship “especially undesirable” as a statement was released saying that lawyers had initiated discussions about a formal separation between the Duke and Duchess of York.

They went on to divorce in 1996 although continue to be close friends and even live together, with Sarah frequently describing them in interviews as “the happiest divorced couple in the world.”

April: Princess Anne and Mark Phillips Divorce

Princess Anne announced her separation from husband Mark Phillips in August 1989 after nearly 16 years of marriage. But it wasn’t until three years later, in April 1992, that the divorce was granted and a statement was made to that effect. By then, it was already widely known that a romance had blossomed between Anne and her mother’s equerry Timothy Laurence . They went public with their relationship later in 1992 and married on December 12 of that year.

In 1991, it emerged that Mark Phillips had fathered a daughter in 1985 with a New Zealand art teacher.

June: Andrew Morton’s Princess Diana biography is Published

It is now well-known that Princess Diana was a source for Andrew Morton’s sensational biography Diana: Her True Story , which lifted the lid on her unhappiness within the royal fold. But when the book was first published in June 1992, the BBC reported that Buckingham Palace said she “did not co-operate with the biography in any way whatsoever.” The book revealed that she attempted suicide and detailed her struggles with an eating disorder. The revelations rocked the monarchy as they reverberated around the world .

Simon & Schuster Diana: Her True Story--in Her Own Words

August: Tabloid Scandals

Despite the fact that Andrew and Sarah had already separated, when she was pictured on the front page of the Daily Mirror on August 20, 1992 appearing intimate with Texan financial advisor John Bryan, it was still very much a royal scandal. Sarah was at Balmoral with the royals when the news broke and she later wrote that there were “eyes wide and mouths ajar” at the news. The scandal is often viewed as a turning point in Sarah’s relations with the royals.

Just three days later, on August 23, The Sun published a front-page story about a recorded conversation between Diana and James Gilbey, which would become known as the “Squidgygate” scandal. The conversation, which dated back to 1989, featured her speaking about her life in the royal family.

November: Windsor Castle Fire And Financial Controversy

Just as a disastrous year was coming to a close, things quite literally went up in smoke. The Windsor Castle fire took hold in the morning of November 20 when a spotlight ignited a curtain in Queen Victoria’s private chapel. “Within three hours 225 firemen from seven counties were battling the flames,” the Royal Collection notes. Staff managed to move priceless art from the fire’s path but it ravaged 115 castle rooms including nine state rooms.

Initial estimates for the cost of the repair reached as high as $90 million and there was widespread backlash after the Secretary of State for National Heritage said public money would be used. This eventually led to Buckingham Palace being opened to the public over the summer of 1993 for the first time as a way of raising funds for the repairs. The summer openings continue to this day.

Prince Philip chaired the Restoration Committee and the work was completed exactly five years later at a final cost of £36.5 million.

In November 1992, it was also announced that the Queen would pay income tax for the first time the following year, although Buckingham Palace denied that this was related to questions over royal finances following the fire, the BBC reported .

November: The Queen Makes Her Annus Horribilis Speech

The Queen made her annus horribilis speech on November 24, just four days after the Windsor Castle fire. “This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so,” she said. She offered a touch of—perhaps naive—optimism over how “future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year,” saying, “Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.”

December: Prince Charles and Diana Announce Separation

The royal dramas continued to play out publicly right until the end of 1992, with Charles and Diana’s separation announced on December 9. Prime Minister John Major read out a statement in the House of Commons which said that “with regret” they had decided to separate. The statement said the decision was reached “amicably” and that there were “no plans to divorce and their constitutional positions are unaffected.”

The New York Times described it as “the unhappy ending today to a storybook marriage gone badly wrong.”

December: The Queen’s Christmas Message

As she she did every year throughout her reign (apart from in 1969), the Queen delivered a Christmas Message summing up the events of 1992. While not as memorable as her speech in November, it did address the “difficult days” the family had faced and also thanked the public for “support and encouragement.” “As some of you may have heard me observe, it has, indeed, been a sombre year,” the Queen said. “But Christmas is surely the right moment to try to put it behind us and to find a moment to pray for those, wherever they are, who are doing their best in all sorts of ways to make things better in 1993.”

Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures , released in 2021. 

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'The Crown': Queen Elizabeth's 'Annus Horribilis' Speech and What Happened to the Royal Family in 1992

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Episode 4 of The Crown 's fifth season is ominously titled "Annus Horribilis." It's a unique phrase, one that was popularized by Queen Elizabeth II during her Ruby Jubilee speech in November 1992. 

As the year was drawing to an end, the queen used the speech to reflect on the scandals that had rocked the royal family over the previous months, admitting, "1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure."

From the constant press attention on Prince Charles' unhappy marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales , to paparazzi scandals surrounding Prince Andrew's split from Sarah Ferguson, to the Windsor Castle fire that caused millions in damage to the royal family's primary residence, there was plenty for the queen to be distraught about at the end of 1992, and The Crown explores it all in the moving episode.

Here's a look at all the things that conspired to make the year the queen's "annus horribilis."

The Scandals 

Undoubtedly the biggest royal scandal in 1992 -- and for much of the '90s -- was the media scrutiny surrounding Princess Diana, and the end of her marriage to Prince Charles. But 1992 was the year of two major breaches of trust between Diana and the royal family.

First, was the publication of  Andrew Morton's tell-all book, Diana: Her True Story .  Upon its release, Morton claimed that he did not interview Diana for the book, but it was later discovered that she recorded a series of stream-of-consciousness recordings with her friend, James Colthurst, that Morton used to craft the book. 

The biography featured shocking revelations including Diana's multiple suicide attempts, memorably one where she threw herself down a flight of stairs while pregnant with  Prince William , her struggles with eating disorders, and the difficult life she faced within the royal family. 

The second Diana-centric scandal of 1992 was the release of a taped conversation between her and her friend, James Gilbey, which was leaked to the press after reportedly being accidentally recorded by a radio enthusiast. The incident became known as "Squidgygate" because of the number of times that Gilbey affectionately referred to Diana as "Squidgy" during the conversation.

On the tape, Diana and Gilbey discussed a variety of topics, including her relationships with members of the royal family and Diana's fear of becoming pregnant. The leak and publication of the "Squidgygate" recordings, as well as the "Camillagate" tapes , led to intense speculation over the security of the royals' phone lines. However, then-Prime MinisterJohn Major's government eventually published two reports, both of which cleared MI5 and MI6 of involvement in the tapes.

1992 was a tumultuous year for royal marriages, as Princess Anne finalized her divorce from her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, with whom she shares two children, and, months later, married Commander Sir Timothy Laurence, whom she had met while he served as her mother's equerry.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, also announced his separation from wife Sarah Ferguson in 1992, following long periods of estrangement and public speculation about Fergie's relationship with Texan multimillionaire Steve Wyatt. In August of that year, the Daily Mirror  published paparazzi photographs of John Bryan, an American financial manager, kissing Sarah's toes as she sunbathed topless, inviting further scandal on the royal family.

And finally, of course, there was Charles and Diana. Following the pair's very public extramarital affairs, the "Camillagate" scandal and the release of Morton's book, British Prime Minister John Major announced the couple's legal separation in Parliament in December 1992. While their divorce would not be finalized for several more years, the writing was on the wall by the end of the "annus horribilis."

Perhaps the most flagrant and public example of the royal family's misfortune came on Nov. 20, 1992 when a fire broke out in Windsor Castle, the official residence of the queen. The fire began in the queen's Private Chapel when a curtain was ignited by a spotlight pressed up against it. Over the next 12 hours, the fire spread throughout the residence, destroying parts of the structure, priceless furniture and works of art. 

The fire caused extensive damage and the repairs over the next few years cost £36.5 million. Items from the Royal Collection lost include the Sir William Beechey portrait  George III and the Prince of Wales Reviewing Troops , which was too large for firefighters to remove, several items of porcelain, multiple chandeliers, the Willis organ and the 1851 Great Exhibition Axminster carpet. Peter Brooke, then the Secretary of State for National Heritage, called the fire a "national disaster."

"Annus Horribilis" ends with the queen's speech at Guildhall on Nov. 24 1992, marking her Ruby Jubilee, the 40th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. In her speech, the queen reflects on the difficult year, as well as the recent Windsor Castle fire.

Read the full text of the queen's speech below:

My Lord Mayor,

Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today.

This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish.

Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real 'gathering of the clans'.

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.

And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for 'only half a glass, please'.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, "Ma'am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family". The Queen's reply was: "Too fervently, no; too often, yes". I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim "moderation in all things".

I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.

But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.

No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic.

There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution - City, Monarchy, whatever - should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't.

But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding.

This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls "The changes and chances of this mortal life".

You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that.

Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all - the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign.

You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers - fervent, I hope, but not too frequent - have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks.

And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

The Crown season 5 is streaming now on Netflix.

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A year of 'turmoil and uncertainty': Why the Queen called 1992 her 'annus horribilis'

By Kate Rafferty | 2 years ago

Coming up to 30 years since Queen Elizabeth's most disastrous year, we take a look at what brought the monarch to call 1992 her "annus horribilis".

Meaning "a disastrous or unfortunate year", 'annus horribilis' is often a term used by stoic ancient fighters or bedraggled rulers in history books — yet the Queen felt it perfectly summarised her experiences in 1992.

A year marked by tension and disaster, that was the year the Queen saw the breakdown of three of her children's marriages, including that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the royal family smattered in the tabloids as vicious scrutiny of Diana dominated headlines.

In the most devastating of ends to an already battering year, on November 20, a ferocious fire took over Windsor Castle, which saw millions of dollars of damage to the monarch's main residence.

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At the time, it cost $67.7 million to repair the damages, and a total of 10 years for the castle to dry out and be fully inhabitable.

On November 24, just four days after the disaster, the Queen was brought to celebrate her 40th year of accession to the throne — but in dismal spirits.

It was on that day at Guildhall, that the monarch made a famed speech, with words that she hoped history would "look kind on".

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure," she said . "In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'.

"I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty."

RELATED: Queen Elizabeth holds first in-person engagement since mid-October

And a time of turmoil and uncertainty it was.

A year that started with President George HW Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin announcing the official end to the Cold War, and which ended with the election of Bill Clinton as president of the United States, the Queen was up to her elbows in business.

But it was Prince Charles and Princess Diana's decision to bring 15 years of marriage to an end that truly rocked the boat.

The most publicised couple in the world at the time, the fall of Charles and Diana in August 1992 took the world by storm. The pair were thrown into the headlines, and the British royal family scrutinised at a microscopic level.

In the same month, the famous "toe-sucking" photo of Sarah Ferguson with an unknown financial adviser emerged, marking the end of Prince Andrew , the Duke of York and Fergie's marriage.

RELATED: The 'secret disease' Princess Diana and Sweden's Princess Victoria shared

While the pair immediately split that year, their divorce was not finalised until 1996.

Adding to the list of broken marriages, the Queen's daughter Princess Anne finalised her divorce to Captain Mark Phillips that year, finalising a year of bad luck in love for the British royal family.

While the Queen hoped all would blow over, things escalated with the release of Andrew Morton's famous collaborative biography, Diana: Her True Story - In Her Own Words , which revealed previously hidden details about Diana's life and struggles as a royal.

Most notably, the media focussed on the discovery of Diana's struggle with an eating disorder , which reportedly began the week she got engaged to Prince Charles.

After a year through the ringer, the Queen simply made one appeal in her speech that fateful day in November — a "touch of gentleness" when it comes to scrutiny of her and her family.

"There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life," she said. "No institution — City, Monarchy, whatever — should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't."

She ended, "But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding."

If you, or someone you know needs support relating to eating disorders, please call The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673, or visit their website . In an emergency, call 000.

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Queen Elizabeth II said 1992 was her 'annus horribilis', or horrible year. But could this year have rivalled it?

Think of every vintage scandal you know involving the House of Windsor: Charles and Camilla's lusty phone calls; Diana's anguish; Sarah Ferguson's "toe sucking scandal".

All of it happened in one calamitous year.

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure," the Queen rasped on the day of her ruby jubilee, before clearing her throat.

"In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'annus horribilis.'"

It was supposed to be a day of triumph, to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 40 years on the throne. Instead the head of state uttered the Latin phrase, which means "horrible year".

After decades of exemplary, scandal-free service, she was keenly aware 12 catastrophic months had put her record under threat.

"No institution — city, monarchy, whatever — should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't," she said.

"This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change."

It was a stunning plea for kindness, and a vow to reform an ancient institution.

And it came from a woman who had spent much of her life fortifying the monarchy as a pillar of British life through stoicism and tradition.

Now, almost 30 years later, Queen Elizabeth II's lifetime of public service is facing another test, several in fact.

Over the past 12 months, the Queen has lost her husband and the family's patriarch, Prince Philip; her grandson and his wife laid bare the depth of their rift with the palace in a tell-all interview; and her son Prince Andrew is being sued by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges she was sexually abused by him when she was 17.

Meanwhile the second in line, Prince William, has been unable to shake off rumours of a falling out with his brother Prince Harry.

And just recently a two-part BBC documentary focusing on the princes' relationship with the press brought the family's secretive media dealings out from the shadows.

After a turbulent year for the royal family, it appears as if the challenges confronting the Queen and the monarchy itself may be threatening the institution more than ever before.

Divorces, tell-alls and a long lens camera

Before 1992, the Windsors appeared sombre, remote and dependable.

They waved from balconies, they wandered the moors of Balmoral swathed in tweed, and they accepted posies from schoolchildren.

But then "the British public woke up from a slumber of accepting the Royals as being the perfect family", biographer Andrew Morton said.

First, Prince Andrew announced his intention to separate from his wife Sarah Ferguson.

Paparazzi photos of the duchess's new lover licking her feet were soon splashed across tabloids.

Then the Queen's only daughter, Princess Anne, separated from her husband of nearly two decades.

Divorce was hardly a taboo by the 1990s, but the country had been fed a steady diet of royal fairy tales.

And there was no marriage more delicious than that between the future king and queen, Charles and Diana.

While there had long been tabloid whispers about the marriage, Diana sensationally confirmed the rumours with a blistering tell-all written by Andrew Morton.

In secret audio recordings spirited out of Kensington Palace by a friend, Diana informed the world that the fairytale was a nightmare.

"It was like being transported into a parallel universe," Andrew Morton said of the recordings.

"The princess talking about her unhappiness, her sense of betrayal, her suicide attempts and two things I had never previously heard of: bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder, and a woman called Camilla."

By the end of 1992, the Queen had no choice but to recommend the warring couple split.

For a woman who had overseen wars, political crises, civil unrest and enough prime ministers to count on two hands, the biggest threat to her reign had come from within her own family.

So if 1992 was her worst, how does 2021 compare?

Annus horribilis, part II

It took years for the Queen to claw back the British public's favour, but her quiet and neutral custodianship of the monarchy eventually won over even her staunchest critics.

"The Queen kept up her schedule of overseas tours and walkabouts … and carried on with her public engagements," historian, author and royal commentator Carolyn Harris told the ABC.

"So she came through this very difficult period. And now there are a lot of tributes to the Queen as an elder stateswoman."

The 2000s were years of stability and reform at the palace, albeit tinged with sorrow after the Queen's mother and sister died within a month of each other in 2002.

With the royal family's public standing having rebounded, the wedding of Prince William in 2011 ushered in a new era for the monarchy.

Things were looking bright, until suddenly the royals were making headlines again for all the wrong reasons.

"After some relatively smooth sailing through the 2000s [to about] 2012, the royals are back in the newspapers every day," Giselle Bastin, royal expert and associate professor of English at Flinders University, told the ABC.

"And the Queen will no doubt be wondering why her children [Prince Andrew and Prince Charles] and grandchildren [Prince Harry] create such fertile ground for the tabloids to move in and ravage them.

"And there's no [Prince] Philip on hand to pull them into line."

In Dr Bastin's view, the last few years have been "rocky ones" for the royals — marked by disastrous interviews, near-miss car crashes, rumoured rifts and a global pandemic.

And this year has been no exception.

Problems at the palace began relatively early amid talk of a sit down between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey.

The decision to go public, in a tell-all interview with one of America's biggest celebrities no less, sparked recollections of Princess Diana's memorable 1995 BBC interview in which she spoke of her bulimia, unhappy marriage to Prince Charles, and their affairs.

The rare peek behind the curtain into Meghan and Harry's life as royals did not paint a rosy picture.

But the biggest revelation of all was when the couple said their decision to step back as senior working royals was partly driven by the racism Meghan experienced.

Almost 30 years after Diana ripped up the royal mantra of "never complain, never explain", her son followed in her footsteps by openly questioning the royal establishment's methods and attitudes.

Dr Bastin said the interview was a sign that Harry was "bringing to fruition Diana's vision for the monarchy".

Months later the death of Prince Philip left the monarch with a "huge void" in her life, she said.

The Queen cut a solitary figure at the funeral because of coronavirus restrictions, evoking widespread public sympathy.

But that sympathy has not been extended to the whole family.

The heir and next in line, Prince Charles, is caught up in allegations around a wealthy Saudi businessman , who was allegedly offered help to secure British citizenship after donating to the Prince's charities.

Clarence House has said Prince Charles has "no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities and fully supports the investigation now underway by the Prince's Foundation".

Then there is the ongoing speculation about a rift between William and Harry, speculation brought to a head in the period around  a commemoration for their mother Princess Diana in July.

But perhaps the biggest issue of all is the matter of Prince Andrew, who must make himself available to answer questions under oath by July 14 next year in a civil lawsuit lodged by his accuser. He vehemently denies the allegation that he sexually assaulted Ms Giuffre.

"Does [the court case] damage the monarchy? People might say that, but he's not heir to the throne, he's expendable," royal expert Marlene A Eilers Koenig told the ABC.

Even so, the real fallout from the Prince Andrew case may not be felt until next year, when the looming deadline over his appearance coincides with a four-day British public holiday to celebrate the Queen's platinum jubilee.

What lies ahead for the Queen?

After a turbulent year, Ms Harris says there is still reason for the Queen to be more optimistic than in 1992.

"There was more scrutiny of the Queen's management of her family [in 1992], whereas now — with the Queen's current circumstances with her health, recently losing Prince Philip, [and] the COVID-19 pandemic — there's a lot more sympathy for the Queen," she told the ABC.

In fact the Queen's popularity is higher than ever, with a YouGov poll putting her at a 72 per cent approval rating among the British public in 2021.

"I think that the British royals are better known globally than they ever have been before," Dr Bastin said.

"They are stratosphere celebrities, and the British public and people the world over are not showing a loss of interest in them."

But the Queen does face challenges.

The move by Barbados to ditch the Queen as head of state has sparked questions over how an ageing monarch will continue to oversee a diverse Commonwealth agitating for change.

While not a surprise, the move to become a republic was still viewed as an usual step from commentators, who noted it had been 30 years since a country had seceded from the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minister of Barbados remarked that the decision was a sign the country was "leaving our colonial past behind".

Whether other Caribbean countries will follow suit remains to be seen. But it is a signal that a debate over the legacy of colonialism, sparked by the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020,  may loom large over the British royal family in future.

"Certainly Barbados's [decision] may have an influence on the region and the other Commonwealth realms there," Ms Harris said.

It comes at a time where there appears to be more interest than ever in what a future will look like without the Queen as head of the Commonwealth.

Her absence during the COP26 climate talks in Scotland sparked yet more speculation about her health and whether she plans to abdicate.

The Queen has been quite clear in the past that she believes her job is for life, effectively ruling out any suggestions of an abdication.

But she is increasingly stepping back from public appearances, passing on some of her patronages to other family members to lighten her workload.

The result has been some  Shakespearean-level jostling for power among the Windsors , according to experts.

Depending on how it shakes out, the generational shift may prompt a reshaping of the monarchy like never before.

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On the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday branded 1992 a “horrible year” and, adopting a rare personal tone, called for a less savage treatment of the embattled Royal Family by the British media.

The queen told a gilt-edged audience of 500 at a luncheon hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at Guildhall that she could not look on this anniversary year with “undiluted pleasure,” understating the problems that have plagued her--including her children’s marital problems and last weekend’s fire at her Windsor Castle home.

In a voice croaking from a cold, the queen conceded that the monarchy is not above criticism. But she also suggested that the running attacks that her family has endured in the tabloid press have lacked “gentleness, good humor and understanding.”

“There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life,” she said in her statement, which was unusual in that it seemed to come from the heart from a family more known for its stiff upper lip.

But she added, “I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators.”

As for the last year, the queen described it by playing off a more commonly known Latin phrase, annus mirabilis , or “wonderful year.” She said that 1992, “in the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents . . . has turned out to be an annus horribilis. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.”

“Indeed,” she added, “I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty.”

The queen, bedecked in a dark green dress and hat, delivered her personal message toward the end of a year in which:

* Her daughter, Princess Anne, was divorced.

* The Duke and Duchess of York, her second son and daughter-in-law, separated. The duchess, nicknamed “Fergie” by the press, appeared partially clothed in the company of another man in photos displayed for days in the tabloids.

* The marriage of her heir, Prince Charles, to the Princess of Wales has come close to a breakup.

The royal affairs have become the grist for press reports around the globe. In Britain, in particular, the House of Windsor has received oftentimes-sensational coverage of its doings.

The Royal Family also provided material for the “Scoop of the Year” for author Andrew Morton, who Tuesday picked up the award of that name from the London Press Club for his book “Diana: Her True Story.” The book, based on interviews with friends of the Princess of Wales, portrays Diana as being at times in suicidal despair over a loveless marriage.

The British throne also has been engulfed in a controversy stemming from the fire at Windsor Castle. Government officials decided Monday that taxpayers should cover the multimillion-dollar costs of repairing the fire damage at the queen’s favorite home.

But many members of Parliament have complained that the queen, 66, who is one of the world’s richest individuals, with an estimated worth ranging from $135 million to $9 billion, should volunteer to pay at least part of the expense, especially given the fact that the Royal Family pays no income tax.

The queen did not offer Tuesday to defuse the row over who should pay for the castle’s repairs, and while claiming that constructive criticism could and should act as a force for change in any institution, she did not suggest specific reforms in the beleaguered monarchy, which opinion polls show suffers from a growing unpopularity.

Reaction to the queen’s speech, as to the Royal Family itself of late, was mixed.

Margaret Holder, editor of Royalty magazine, told the Associated Press that she was surprised by the address, noting, “This is the first time the queen has said that the monarchy is not above criticism.”

Patrick McNair Wilson, a Conservative lawmaker, praised the queen’s “personal courage” in a difficult year, while Labor Party leader John Smith was quoted by the AP as saying that she had defended herself “rather wittily and rather charmingly.”

But members of the opposition Labor Party expressed disappointment that the queen had not offered to help pay for Windsor Castle repairs. “The speech indicates that she realizes there are some very strong feelings about the taxpayer footing the bill for the restoration of Windsor Castle when some priceless historical monuments such as schools throughout the country are falling down,” Bob Cryer, a Labor member of Parliament, was quoted as saying by the AP.

Labor lawmaker Tony Banks said: “There is no such thing as a bad year for the queen, by definition. Anyone who is so much a part of the ‘dependency culture’ as she is could at least smile a bit more.”

God Save the Queen

“A well-meaning bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, ‘Ma’am, we cannot pray too often or too fervently for the Royal Family.’ The queen’s reply was, ‘too fervently no, too often yes.’ ”

--Excerpt from queen’s speech Tuesday

A CALENDAR OF THE CONTROVERSIES

Queen Elizabeth II said Tuesday that she has had a horrible year. Among the low points:

March--Buckingham Palace announces that Prince Andrew, the queen’s second son, and his wife, the former Sarah Ferguson, are separating after 5 1/2 years of marriage.

April--Princess Anne, the queen’s daughter, divorces Capt. Mark Phillips after 18 years of marriage.

June--Andrew Morton publishes “Diana: Her True Story,” which portrays the Princess of Wales as trapped in a loveless marriage, and at times in suicidal despair.

Newspapers publish pictures of topless “Fergie” cavorting in southern France with her American “financial adviser,” John Bryan.

Newspapers publish transcript of what appears to be a tape recording of affectionate telephone conversation between Princess Diana and a man who calls her “Squidgy.”

September--Maj. James Hewitt, friend of Princess Diana, files libel suit following tabloid speculation about their relationship.

November--During a four-day visit to South Korea, tabloids label Charles and Diana “The Glums,” reputedly unable to bear each other’s company.

Tabloid Daily Mirror reports it has heard tape of Charles in intimate conversation with old girlfriend.

Fire destroys parts of Windsor Castle, the queen’s weekend home.

Source: Times staff and wire reports

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Queen Elizabeth II delivers her ‘Annus Horribilis’ speech, describing her sadness at the events of the year including the marriage breakdown of her two sons and the devastating fire at Windsor Castle at the Guildhall in London on this day in 1992:

My Lord Mayor, Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today. This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish. Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real ‘gathering of the clans’. 1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday’s tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so. And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for ‘only half a glass, please’. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, “Ma’am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family”. The Queen’s reply was: “Too fervently, no; too often, yes”. I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim “moderation in all things”. I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight. But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion – even of wisdom – that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small. No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic. There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution – City, Monarchy, whatever – should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don’t. But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding. This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls “The changes and chances of this mortal life”. You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that. Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all – the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign. You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers – fervent, I hope, but not too frequent – have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks. And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

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One thought on “ queen’s ‘annus horribilis’ speech, 1992 ”.

Oh, my, I remember this one. Prince Philip’s expression as he listens to the Queen’s speech says it all. It’s a look of sad acceptance of the bad things over which neither of them has control. But, they adapted. They kept calm and carried on. 🙂

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Queen's real 'annus horribilis' speech in full - how her actual words compare to The Crown

The Queen's infamous 'Annus Horribilis' speech features in season five of The Crown - but how accurate is their version of events? We look at her real 1992 speech

• 15:09, 11 Nov 2022

On November 25, 1992, the late Queen gave one of her most infamous speeches. In her address at Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she admitted the year wasn't one she would look back on with "undiluted pleasure" and said it was her 'Annus Horribilis'.

The 12 months saw the collapse of three of her children's marriages, including her heir Charles, and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle.

The famous speech is recreated in the latest season of The Crown, which sees actress Imelda Staunton take on the role of the Queen. But with huge controversy around the accuracy of the latest series of the Netflix show, how much of the speech did the late Monarch actually say? Let's take a look...

Queen's 'Annus Horribilis' speech in full

My Lord Mayor,

Could I say, first, how delighted I am that the Lady Mayoress is here today.

This great hall has provided me with some of the most memorable events of my life. The hospitality of the City of London is famous around the world, but nowhere is it more appreciated than among the members of my family. I am deeply grateful that you, my Lord Mayor, and the Corporation, have seen fit to mark the fortieth anniversary of my Accession with this splendid lunch, and by giving me a picture which I will greatly cherish.

Thank you also for inviting representatives of so many organisations with which I and my family have special connections, in some cases stretching back over several generations. To use an expression more common north of the Border, this is a real 'gathering of the clans'.

1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so.

And, after this last weekend, we appreciate all the more what has been set before us today. Years of experience, however, have made us a bit more canny than the lady, less well versed than us in the splendours of City hospitality, who, when she was offered a balloon glass for her brandy, asked for 'only half a glass, please'.

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. A well-meaning Bishop was obviously doing his best when he told Queen Victoria, "Ma'am, we cannot pray too often, nor too fervently, for the Royal Family". The Queen's reply was: "Too fervently, no; too often, yes". I, like Queen Victoria, have always been a believer in that old maxim "moderation in all things".

I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight.

But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgement, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion - even of wisdom - that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.

No section of the community has all the virtues, neither does any have all the vices. I am quite sure that most people try to do their jobs as best they can, even if the result is not always entirely successful. He who has never failed to reach perfection has a right to be the harshest critic.

There can be no doubt, of course, that criticism is good for people and institutions that are part of public life. No institution - City, Monarchy, whatever - should expect to be free from the scrutiny of those who give it their loyalty and support, not to mention those who don't.

But we are all part of the same fabric of our national society and that scrutiny, by one part of another, can be just as effective if it is made with a touch of gentleness, good humour and understanding.

This sort of questioning can also act, and it should do so, as an effective engine for change. The City is a good example of the way the process of change can be incorporated into the stability and continuity of a great institution. I particularly admire, my Lord Mayor, the way in which the City has adapted so nimbly to what the Prayer Book calls "The changes and chances of this mortal life".

You have set an example of how it is possible to remain effective and dynamic without losing those indefinable qualities, style and character. We only have to look around this great hall to see the truth of that.

Forty years is quite a long time. I am glad to have had the chance to witness, and to take part in, many dramatic changes in life in this country. But I am glad to say that the magnificent standard of hospitality given on so many occasions to the Sovereign by the Lord Mayor of London has not changed at all. It is an outward symbol of one other unchanging factor which I value above all - the loyalty given to me and to my family by so many people in this country, and the Commonwealth, throughout my reign.

You, my Lord Mayor, and all those whose prayers - fervent, I hope, but not too frequent - have sustained me through all these years, are friends indeed. Prince Philip and I give you all, wherever you may be, our most humble thanks.

And now I ask you to rise and drink the health of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

MORE ON Commonwealth The Queen Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Victoria of the United Kingdom Royal Family

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'The Crown' Season 5: Why Was 1992 Called 'Annus Horribilis' by the Queen?

1992 marked a year of personal and familial turmoil for the Queen and the royal family.

Episode 4 of The Crown Season 5 is titled after the Latin phrase that has been etched into public conscience after the 1992 speech of Queen Elizabeth II at Guildhall, when the Queen rather remarkably called the year "Annus Horribilis," which means "horrible year" in Latin. 1992 was particularly a dreadful year for the royal family as well as the Queen completing her 40 years on the throne.

Several events forced the Queen to term the year so, including Princess Anne's divorce, the publication of photographs hinting at the Duchess of York's affair, and the publication of Diana: Her True Story , which drew public attention to the failing marriage of the princess to Prince Charles, among other events such as a fire at the Windsor Castle just four days before Elizabeth's speech. With questions arising around the Queen's capability itself to go on as the reigning monarch while Prince Charles braces himself to take the reigns of the monarchy, 1992 marked a year of personal and familial turmoil for the Queen and the senior members of the royal family. Consequentially, some of these events also formed the background for the troubles the family faced for much of the decade.

RELATED: 'The Crown's Best Prime Minister Performances, Ranked

The Duke and Duchess of York Announce Their Separation in March

In 1992, the first blow to the crown came when the news of the separation of the Duke and Duchess of York was released by Buckingham Palace, putting to ink the beginning of the end for the royal couple. Andrew and Sarah were married in 1986 and had two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, from the marriage. Prince Andrew, being a naval man, stayed away from home for quite some time – a fact also highlighted in the conversation between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew in The Crown.

The separation announcement came in March of 1991 amidst concerns around the long-drawn separation the couple endured as a result of Prince Andrew's time away in the Navy and rumors of Sarah's infidelity with the Texan businessman, Steve Wyatt, who was later touted to be the main reason behind the breakdown of the royal marriage by David Leigh's The Duchess of York: Uncensored . Given how things later ended with the then Prince and Princess of Wales, Andrew and Sarah's separation was amicable by all means, at least in the public eye.

Princess Anne Divorces Captain Mark Phillips in April

Princess Royal Anne decided to separate from her husband Captain Mark Phillips after 16 years of marriage in 1989. Years before the separation was announced, the couple's distant relationship had become public news. However, the turmoil in the marriages of other royals as well, including that of the then Prince Charles III and Princess Diana, was reason enough for the divorce news to be more grievous for the crown and the Queen.

Importantly, as shown in the fourth episode, it was Anne's decision to remarry Sir Timothy Laurence that was more contentious. The Church of England did not permit the remarriage of a divorced person whose former partner was alive. But refuting the fate that was met by Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, Princess Royal Anne decided to proceed with the marriage, attracting further scrutiny for the royal family from certain sections.

Andrew Morton's Book on Diana Gets Published In July

The crumbling marriage of the then Prince Charles III and Princess Diana was laid in front of the public when Andrew Morton's tell-all book on Princess Diana was published in July 1992. Andrew Morton worked as a royal correspondent and was a known journalist in the circle. Knowing he won't be able to get access to Princess Diana, Andrew befriended the princess' close friend Dr. James Colthurst, who later convinced the princess to share tapes containing her recordings with the writer. Unsatisfied with being ignored by the senior royals and fed up with Prince Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, Princess Diana decided to record interviews for Morton , which he later used to write Diana: Her True Story .

Naturally, the book contained some explosive revelations. Diana revealed that she had developed bulimia after her engagement to Prince Charles, and she had discovered Prince Charles' affair with Camilla before the marriage. The most shocking revelation, however, was Princess Diana's admittance to attempting suicide five times as a result of the emotional trauma she suffered as an outside member of the royal family. Season 5 of The Crown also sheds light on this aspect of Princess Diana's struggle, as she is shown to be ignored by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Sarah Ferguson's "Toe-Sucking" Scandal Erupts in August

In possibly one of the biggest scandals to hit the royals in Buckingham Palace, just five months after the Duke and Duchess of York's separation, the Daily Mirror published photographs of Sarah Ferguson with the Texan businessman John Bryan in which the man can be seen sharing an intimate space with the Duchess of York. Inviting widespread public scrutiny, the action was termed as "toe-sucking" by media outlets – an act just beyond the taste of many in 1990s England. The photographs were shot in a villa in St. Tropez.

Attempts were made by the Duchess' "financial advisor" Bryan to stop the photographs from publishing. However, the photographs did get published, and the royal family discovered them in their morning newspapers. Later, Bryan did try to cover up for some of the scandal created by the photographs by stating that it wasn't toe-sucking but toe-kissing being meted out to the Duchess by him.

"Squidgygate" Brings the Focus Back to Diana in August

A wildfire hit the royals again on August 23, 1992, when a 1989 conversation between Princess Diana and her friend, James Gilbey, the heir apparent to the Gilbey's gin empire, was made accessible to the public by The Sun in what came to be known as "Squidgygate," as a nod to the nickname by which Gilbey can be heard calling the Princess of Wales. The conversation was leaked to The Sun when a retired bank manager, who tuned into non-commercial radio frequencies, accidentally came across this conversation. The recording was also made available through a phone line for callers to hear the contents of the tape.

The conversation between the princess and Gilbey contained multiple details about Princess Diana's worsening relationship with her husband and his family. Not only did Princess Diana explicitly mention her dissatisfaction with the treatment she received within the family, but she also mentioned the looks she gets from the Queen Mother. Diana also expressed her fear of becoming pregnant during the call. Apart from shedding light on the strained relationship that Princess Diana shared with the royal family, the leaked conversation also highlighted the intimate relations that Princess Diana shared with James Gilbey, who referred to the princess as "darling" and "squidgy" multiple times throughout the call. Squidgygate highly upset the Queen , and she ordered an inquiry into the leak of the tapes in the first place as the source remains contentious.

Fire Breaks Out at Windsor Castle in November

Just four days before Queen Elizabeth II left the term 'Annus Horribilis' etched in the memories of everyone present and watching, a fire at Windsor Castle on November 20 brought the Queen to her breaking point. Credit to a spotlight, the fire destroyed a large portion of the castle, endangering valuable pieces of artwork worth millions. The devastation was such that it took 15 hours to douse the fire and EUR 40 million in repairs, 70% of which the Queen paid herself. The repair expense forced the Queen to open Buckingham Palace to the public as the cost of the repair, which was originally supposed to be borne by the government, had created debates about the extent of public expenditure for the needs of the crown. In "Annus Horribilis," the Queen can be seen witnessing the fire consume the castle as she looks on worriedly at the firefighters scrambling to save the house of the royals. Later, standing amongst the ruins of her own house, the Queen is embraced by Prince Philips.

"Annus Horribilis" clearly shows the Queen ( Imelda Staunton ) being warned by the Queen Mother from using the term to define the year in her speech. The Queen Mother asks the Queen not to attract unwanted attention to the controversial events that have haunted the royal family in the past year. Yet Queen Elizabeth II, as brave as she was, decides to ride against the divinity of the position she holds and expose her humane side to her subjects for the first time in 40 years. If anything, the speech at Guildhall by the Queen was a glorious acceptance of errors caused by the ones who are not supposed to err ever in the public's eyes:

"1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis.' I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so. Indeed, I suspect that there are very few people or institutions unaffected by these last months of worldwide turmoil and uncertainty. This generosity and whole-hearted kindness of the Corporation of the City to Prince Philip and me would be welcome at any time, but at this particular moment, in the aftermath of Friday's tragic fire at Windsor, it is especially so."

The usage of the term 'Annus Horribilis' speaks to the trauma caused to the Queen by what she termed as possibly the worst year of her reign and her life. While not everything that happened in 1992 was directly connected to the Queen, being the head of a pristine institution that has survived for centuries, she naturally held herself responsible for her failure to stop the many disasters that chased the family. Although Queen Elizabeth II possibly saw many "horrible years" in the time to come, 1992 was in all its essence 'Annus Horribilis' for the crown until that moment in time on November 24, 1992.

clock This article was published more than  5 years ago

How Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas speech began

LONDON — For many Brits, nothing says Christmas quite like the queen’s annual broadcast on Dec. 25.

After the turkey is carved, drinks are flowing, presents are stacked and families are gathered, millions tune in to watch the reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The speech is used by the queen to reflect on the past year and often to convey an overarching message of hope to those across the commonwealth. (Side note: The speech usually features a tastefully decorated backdrop and jewelry that we can only assume are very expensive pearls.)

But this royal tradition didn’t start with the queen, her towering trees and a gold piano; the first Christmas Day address by a reigning monarch dates back to 1932 and was delivered by the queen’s grandfather, King George V.

According to the website of the British royal family, George was skeptical at first of using radio as a means to communicate with his people, yet he was reassured after visiting the BBC offices. A studio was created at Buckingham Palace for him to transmit the speech live — words carefully crafted by the writer Rudyard Kipling.

“I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them,” the king began, citing the power of technology. The first broadcast attracted an estimated 20 million listeners. The king continued to deliver a broadcast until a month before his death in 1936.

Since Elizabeth took the throne during her coronation in 1953, she has delivered her message every year, apart from 1969, when a royal documentary was scheduled to be televised at the same time. The queen usually broadcasts from Buckingham Palace, although she has changed the setting from time to time. Past broadcasts have been hosted from the grounds of the palace and Southwark Cathedral.

As the Nazis bombed Britain, the royals hid the crown jewels in the least likely place

In 1957 came the first televised broadcast, a historic move that some believe helped further humanize the royal family and extend the global reach of the British monarchy. The broadcast was live, and according to the Guardian, adverse weather conditions enabled American police radio transmissions to interfere with the broadcast. It is said that some listeners heard a police officer say, “Joe, I’m gonna grab a quick coffee.”

Over the years, the royal Christmas address has transformed as technology has. In 1967 came the first broadcast on color television. In 2012, the queen took her message to another level and transmitted in 3-D and HD format — much to the delight of many.

“It’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies – and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied.” Watch The Queen's Christmas broadcast in full: https://t.co/2lXKZUBN5V — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 25, 2018

Over the decades, the queen has referenced an array of delicate issues including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and the devastating Grenfell Tower fire of 2017.

It wasn’t just her Christmas speeches that were memorable. In a November 1992 speech, the queen referred to a tumultuous year as “annus horribilis” — a Latin phrase that translates to “horrible year.” Although the speech marked 40 years of her succession to the throne, the significance of this date was largely overshadowed by a string of events that only fueled the unpopularity of the royal family.

Diana’s final hours: Dodi’s yacht, a Ritz suite, a diamond ring and relentless photographers

The year saw the queen’s eldest son and heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, separate from his wife, Princess Diana. In the same year, her son Andrew’s separation from wife Sarah Ferguson was announced by the palace. Ferguson, commonly known as “Fergie” in Britain, became embroiled in a royal photo scandal. As if that weren’t enough, the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, also divorced her husband, Mark Phillips.

It wasn’t just a bad year for royal relationships: In the fall of 1992 a fire broke out at Windsor Castle, one of the queen’s official residences — and more recently the venue Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose for their wedding this year. The blaze destroyed more than 100 rooms and burned for 15 hours. Artworks were also lost to the flames.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘annus horribilis.’ I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so,” the queen said at the time.

Her annual Christmas speech has also been known to highlight the good. From new laws to new members of the royal family, the queen’s speech often outlines progress, change and hope for a better future. In 2013, the queen delivered her speech with a framed photo of Prince George in the background. The broadcast painted a picture not just of a ruling monarch, but of a proud and loving great-grandmother, too.

As 2018 draws to a close and 2019 approaches, Theresa May’s looming Brexit deadline in March remains a hot topic. Can the prime minister pass her deal in time in to avoid further political upheaval?

“This year the queen has made a call for national unity at a time of deep division at the time of Brexit,” said royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.

"Britain faces a very uncertain and politically unstable new year, with deep divisions over Brexit and no clear end in view. The royal family embody a continuity and national unity which has never been more precious.”

While many Brits sit and watch the speech, raising a glass in the name of tradition, other observers tend to look for hidden meanings in her words . Members of the royal family are politically neutral, so it is common for Brits to look beyond the surface to find more substance in her majesty’s remarks. This year’s message will see the queen encourage Brits to overcome “deeply held differences” — a comment that many believe is a direct nod to the Brexit chaos of the past two years.

Read more on Retropolis:

Mary, Queen of Scots: The real life of Queen Elizabeth I’s rival and prisoner

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‘Annus horribilis’: Inside the Queen’s year from hell

NINETEEN-ninety-two was Queen Elizabeth’s “horrible year”, and one that ended with an unprecedented plea for public mercy.

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NOVEMBER 24, 1992 was supposed to be a happy occasion for Queen Elizabeth II.

The monarch was set to deliver a speech to Guildhall, London, marking the 40th anniversary of her succession to the throne — her ruby jubilee.

She had 40 years of accomplishments to look back on, but the Queen was preoccupied by more recent events.

“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure,” she announced .

“In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.”

Annus horribilis is a Latin phrase, quite literally meaning “horrible year”. It was a surprisingly glum admission from the monarch — but she was more than justified in making it.

Just four days earlier, Windsor Castle had caught fire, suffering extensive damage.

It marked an end to a year in which the royal family had been beset by tabloid scandals and public splits: To the general public, the royal family appeared a mess, its ‘fairytale’ reputation ruined.

THE QUEEN’S HORRIBLE YEAR

Public splits

In 1992, divorce was still something of a taboo in the royal family — but then the monarchy was rocked by two broken marriages in very quick succession. On March 19 the Queen’s second son Prince Andrew, Duke of York, separated from his wife Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, the Duchess of York.

Fergie — always a lively and unpredictable addition to the royal family — had been seen in the company of other men, one a Texan billionaire. Post-split, Fergie felt the Queen’s wrath: The palace announced that she would no longer carry out public engagements on behalf of the Queen, while the Monarch herself personally announced that she would not take responsibility for Fergie’s mounting and well-publicised debts. It was a royal excommunication and a very public humiliation for Fergie.

Just one month later, on April 23, the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne divorced her husband, Captain Mark Phillips. The couple had been separated for three years, leading increasingly separate lives since their marriage in 1973.

Tabloid scandals

News of those faltering marriages was nothing compared to the scandals that were about to engulf the royal family. On June 8, Andrew Morton’s tell-all book Diana: Her True Story — written with input and co-operation from the Princess herself — was published.

The book “ forever changed the way the public viewed the British monarchy. ”

Diana and Charles were still married, but across 448 pages, Diana detailed the dysfunctional state of their relationship in the most raw and unfiltered terms — a first for a senior royal. The book revealed the Princess was so unhappy with both her marriage and her life inside the royal family that she had been driven to suicidal thoughts.

An instant bestseller, the book caused a media storm.

But at least Diana’s ‘scandal’ was one of her own choosing as she reclaimed her voice: the next would be an embarrassment for all involved. On August 20, pictures of Fergie, Duchess of York sunbathing topless and being kissed on the feet by her friend and financial adviser John Bryan were splashed across the tabloids.

The “toe-sucking scandal” was not easily forgotten: Three years later, when Fergie sent a bouquet of flowers to Prince Andrew’s aunt Princess Margaret, she reportedly received a letter in reply telling her “You have done more to bring shame on the family than could ever have been imagined.”

The public barely had time to take in that scandal when, four days later, the details of intimate phone conversations between Diana and her close friend James Gilbey were splashed across the tabloids. Again, this royal scandal had its own nickname: “Squidgygate”, after the pet name Mr Gilbey called Diana literally dozens of times during their conversations.

Diana vented her frustrations to her close confidante during the secretly recorded conversation, telling him: “I was very bad at lunch, and I nearly started blubbing. I just felt so sad and empty and thought ‘bloody hell, after all I’ve done for this f**king family …’ It’s just so desperate. Always being innuendo, the fact that I’m going to do something dramatic because I can’t stand the confines of this marriage... He (Charles) makes my life real torture, I’ve decided.”

She told Mr Gilbey the Queen Mother would look at her with mix of “pity and interest”.

A great fire

By November, the royal family had become tabloid fixtures in a way they’d never been before, the public eagerly devouring each new report of their sex scandals and personal crises. Then, just four days before the Queen’s Guildhall speech — and on the Queen’s wedding anniversary — another shocking blow, as Windsor Castle went up in flames.

The largest inhabited castle in the world and one of the Queen’s official residencies, the castle suffered extensive damage in the fire, which started when a spotlight pressed up against a curtain caused it to ignite.

It took nine hours to get the fire under control, and while firefighters battled the blaze, royal staff and even Prince Andrew undertook a massive operation to save as many priceless artefacts as they could from the path of the flames.

Despite their efforts, the castle needed years of restoration work, at a cost of 36.5 million pounds.

THE QUEEN’S SPEECH

With the embers still burning in the grand castle the Queen called home, it was a sombre, reflective monarch who stood up in Guildhall on November 24, 1992.

“I sometimes wonder how future generations will judge the events of this tumultuous year. I dare say that history will take a slightly more moderate view than that of some contemporary commentators. Distance is well-known to lend enchantment, even to the less attractive views. After all, it has the inestimable advantage of hindsight,” she said.

“But it can also lend an extra dimension to judgment, giving it a leavening of moderation and compassion — even of wisdom — that is sometimes lacking in the reactions of those whose task it is in life to offer instant opinions on all things great and small.”

Look past the formal language, and you’ll find an unprecedented personal plea: “Go easy on us,” she seemed to be saying, “it’s been a tough year.”

Nearly three months after revealing his cancer diagnosis and retreating from the spotlight, the monarch has shared a huge update.

King Charles’ funeral plans are being updated according to a royal source who divulged secret details about the sombre event.

The couple put on a united front in their first official gala portraits as King and Queen, after shaking off speculation about their marriage.