the queen's christmas speech 2020

Tue 29 Oct 2024

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The Queen’s 2020 Christmas Speech in full, as monarch says ‘we need life to go on’ after crisis

The Queen has spent much of the pandemic apart from her family, secluded with Prince Phillip at Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle

The Queen has said that life must “go on” and acknowledged national “sadness” in her annual Christmas address.

The head of state’s annual message was aired on Christmas Day, marking some of her first public reflections on the coronavirus crisis since a rare national address near the start of the pandemic in April.

In her Christmas Day speech, the monarch reflected that “a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer”, sending sympathies to those mourning loved ones.

She acknowledged that for many, “all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand”.

Quiet Christmas

With coronavirus restrictions sweeping across much of the country, the Royal Family’s Christmas traditions have largely been thrown out the window this year, with no trip to Sandringham or public church visit on the agenda.

The Queen made her first public reflections on coronavirus since April, when she gave a national address

Instead, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh opted to “spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”

The Queen’s Christmas message in full:

Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood – light brings hope.

For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.

Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity – despite social distancing.

Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.

Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.

Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.

Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War – a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.

The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.

If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.

The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas – the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope – guide us in the times ahead.

It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

Queen Elizabeth Uses Her Annual Christmas Day Broadcast to Send a Message of Hope

The British sovereign’s annual Christmas Day message is used to sum up the themes of the past 12 months and wish the nation and Commonwealth a happy Christmas.

Queen Elizabeth has told people missing their loved ones this festive season “you are not alone” as she used her annual Christmas broadcast to send a message of hope after a challenging year. Speaking from the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in a speech that was filmed in advance and broadcast at 3 p.m. in the UK today, the British monarch spoke of the year that has kept people apart but “in many ways, brought us closer.”

“Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand,” the Queen said. “If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.”

The British sovereign’s annual Christmas Day message, which has been tradition since 1932 and televised since 1957 , is used to sum up the themes of the past 12 months and wish the nation and Commonwealth a happy Christmas. Many people watch it every year, but the Queen’s role as a focus for national unity means her words are likely to carry extra significance during this difficult time. Restrictions on families getting together over the festive period were tightened in the UK with just a week to go before Christmas Day, with many families forced to abandon their plans to see each other. The Queen acknowledged these challenges, but began and ended her speech talking of "hope," something she also repeated throughout.

The 94-year-old Queen, who canceled her usual annual visit to Sandringham House in Norfolk to spend the holidays quietly with Prince Philip, filmed the broadcast following medical advice. Buckingham Palace said that the only people allowed in the room were two camera men and one other crew member and that social distancing was followed and PPE worn. The Queen wore a purple dress designed by Angela Kelly with the Queen Mother’s diamond and mother of pearl shell brooch. As she delivered her message, images from the Duchess of Cambridge’s Hold Still photography exhibition were shown as well as footage from virtual royal engagements throughout the year. A photograph of Prince Philip was on the desk beside her. Music was provided by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir.

Watch the Queen’s broadcast in full below, then read a full transcript of her speech:

Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood —light brings hope.

For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing.

Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world. Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn.

Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today. Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War — a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice. The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.

The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.

It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

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.