About family and spouse: Elizabeth II delivered a heartfelt Christmas speech. The Queen of Great Britain in a Christmas message expressed hope for the appearance of "light in the darkness" New Year's speech of the Queen of England

Translation of the Queen's speech:

“At this time of the year, few things are more emotional than the sparkling lights of a Christmas tree.

Spruce is so popular partly because of my ancestors Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After this touching picture was published, many families wanted to have their own Christmas tree. And so this tradition was born.

In 1949, as a young wife, I celebrated Christmas in Malta. We have since returned to this island many times, including during my recent meeting with the leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations. And this year I have met new leaders: the winners of the Queen's Young Heroes Award, a group of inspiring young people who are each a symbol of hope in each of their Commonwealth countries.

Gathering around the Christmas tree, we give ourselves a chance to think about the next year - I'm looking forward to 2016, busy. Although I was warned that I might be sung "Happy Birthday" more than once or twice.

We also think about the past year, about those who are far away or no longer with us. Many people say that celebrating Christmas after the loss of loved ones is especially hard. But Christmas is a time to remember the things we are grateful for.

It is true that the whole world has had to confront dark moments this year. There is a line in the Gospel of John about great hope that is often repeated at Christmas church services: "The light flickers in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it."

It is worth saying thank you for the fact that the Second World War ended in the summer of 70 years ago.

It is worth saying thank you for the victory over Japan (it is celebrated in the UK and the USA on August 15, the day of the surrender of Japan - Rain). We bow to the surviving war veterans for their part in this terrible conflict in the far East, and we also bow to the thousands of those who did not return from there.

The procession from the Horse Guards to Westminster Abbey must be the slowest of all, because so many people want to say "thank you".

At the end of the war, people from Oslo began sending daily gifts to the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. There were 500 luminous balls on it, and not only Christians, but also people of all religions, and atheists admired the spruce. And at the very top there was a fir bright Star, symbolizing the star of Bethlehem.

The tradition of decorating the Christmas tree goes back to the time of Prince Albert. He chose an angel for his Christmas tree to help him remember that on Christmas, the most important thing is family.

Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus, were far from idyllic in the barn where Jesus was born, but they were worse - the family had to flee the country.

And it is not surprising that such Touching story still excites our imagination and continues to inspire Christians from all over the world.

Despite persecution in short life Jesus left us an unchanging message that is not full of revenge and violence, but, simply, love for each other.

And although this is not an easy covenant to fulfill, we should not become discouraged. This covenant should inspire us to try harder, to be grateful for those people who bring us love and happiness, and to look for opportunities to bring love to others, everywhere and at all times.

One of the delights of a long life is to look at your children, then grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren; help them decorate the Christmas tree. And this year there is a new person in my family who will join the fun!

Traditional decorations have changed a bit since the first V&A Christmas tree, of course, electric lights have replaced candles.

There is a saying that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. And millions of people light candles as a sign of hope in our world.

Christmas is a time to say "thank you" to those who bring light into our lives.

I wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Every year on 25 December, millions of people across the United Kingdom gather in front of their televisions to watch the Queen's Christmas Speech (formally known as Her Majesty's Mercy Speech) broadcast. The broadcast is from a living room at Buckingham Palace for just a few minutes. During this time, she talks about herself, her family and the state, she can read a passage from the Bible or a poem. The Queen ties it all together with a single theme that reflects the previous year and enlightens the next.

Queen Elizabeth II

This year she delivered her 66th speech, choosing to important event a floral dress by court designer Angela Kelly, accessorized with her favorite pearl beads and a star brooch. The last one was given to her by Prince Philip in 1966.

Queen Elizabeth II, 24 December 2018

the site recalls the highlights of royal broadcasts since Her Majesty's first address.

Queen Elizabeth II makes her first Christmas address from Sandringham in 1952

1952 was the first Christmas for Elizabeth II as queen. She gave her first radio speech while seated in a chair and at the table of her late father King George VI. At the time, the speech was broadcast from Sandringham, later it moved to Buckingham Palace.

“Every Christmas, at this time, my beloved father spoke to his people in all parts of the world. Today I do it, my people,” she began. - My father and my grandfather worked all their lives to unite our people and uphold the ideals that were very close to their hearts. I will strive to continue their work."

The queen ended her speech with a request for prayer - not for the country, but for herself, on the day of her upcoming coronation in June. “I want to ask you all, whatever your religion, to pray for me on that day - to pray that God will give me wisdom and strength to fulfill the solemn promises that I will make so that I can faithfully serve him and you, all my life."

The Queen's first televised address in 1957

Until 1957, the Queen's speech was delivered only in audio format, both on radio and television. But thanks to the BBC, and perhaps to the forward-thinking "reformer" Lord Altringham, 1957 was the first year she televised her address. Richard Webber, head of field broadcasts at the time, wrote in The Guardian: "We asked the Palace if the Queen would like to consider reading a message in live on TV. She was a young monarch eager to enter into the spirit of a new era and approved of this idea.” That Christmas, at 3:00 pm, people were able to see the Queen inside her house. This event is often cited as one of the most important ways in which Queen Elizabeth modernized the monarchy.

The new decade brought a new viewership record: more than 28 million people watched Her Highness' Christmas broadcast in 1980, which was dedicated to the Queen's mother's 80th birthday.

After the divorce of three of her four children and a terrible fire that destroyed much of Windsor Castle, the Queen named 1992 her "annus horribilis" (Latin for "terrible year"). She spoke of her problems on a 1992 Christmas broadcast: “Like many other families, we have had hard days this year. The prayers, understanding and sympathy given to us by many of you have given us great support.”

However, that year, most people already knew what Her Highness was going to say - the British tabloid The Sun published her address two days earlier. The Queen sued the publication and received £200,000 in damages (which she promptly donated to charity).

Queen Elizabeth II, 1992

1997 was the year of Princess Diana's death. In connection with this tragic event, the queen was accused of ill-treatment (many people believed that she should have returned to London as soon as she heard the news, and not stay in Balmoral). Her emotional speech was meant to dispel that perception. “We were all shocked and saddened by Diana's death. Thousands of you have expressed your grief. It has been a comfort to all her loved ones,” the Queen said as pictures of flowers left in front of Buckingham and Kensington Palaces appeared on screen. At 9 minutes and 50 seconds, it was the longest Christmas message from a British monarch. It was also the first to be published online.

Last year's Christmas message was devoted to the importance of family relationships and the family hearth in the life of every person. Queen Elizabeth II then thanked her husband Prince Philip, with whom they have been together for 70 years, for his patience and support, and also noted his unique sense of humor.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain recorded the 60th anniversary annual Christmas address to the nation, which was filmed at Buckingham Palace, in room 1884. In her speech, she noted that she was inspired " strong personalities who performed outstanding deeds" during the attacks in London and Manchester this year. Her Majesty also paid tribute to her husband, Prince Philip, who retired from public duties due to age in the fall. Elizabeth II thanked him for his support and unique sense of humor.

The show of the annual congratulations will be broadcast at 15.00 London time (17.00 Moscow time) and will traditionally last 10 minutes.

This Christmas I think of London and Manchester. Strong people showed their best qualities in the face of tragedy. The nation has experienced a series of devastating terrorist attacks over the past year, starting with the attack on Westminster Bridge in March that killed four pedestrians.

A few months later, 22 people died in Manchester, including children - a lone suicide bomber detonated a bomb as a crowd of Ariana Grande fans left the Manchester Arena after a concert. This terrorist attack was the largest in Britain since the tragedy in the London Underground in 2005, when more than 50 people were killed. In June, three terrorists in a truck drove over pedestrians on London Bridge, then they went to Borough Market, where they killed eight people. The criminals were shot dead by the police.

Prince Harry at the market in London supported the citizens who witnessed the attack by terrorists, summer 2017

Philip, famous for his jokes and inquisitive mind, decided to leave his public duties, although from time to time he still continues to help me. Thanks to him! At Christmas, we think of our homes as places of warmth, care and love. I wish happiness to every home, - said Elizabeth II.

To address the nation, the Queen chose a dress of color Ivory from Angela Kelly - designer and her personal stylist. For the first time, Elizabeth II appeared in a coat and hat by Angela during the anniversary show of 1000 sailing boats on the River Thames in 2012.

Click on photo to view gallery

The monarch's Christmas Address to the Nation has already become a tradition and was first issued almost 80 years ago. IN recent years it is broadcast on television at 15:00 London time. The founder of the tradition was the grandfather of Elizabeth II, King George V, who was a cousin of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II. However, in March 1917, George officially refused to accept his brother and his family in the royal palace, effectively forbidding the Russian imperial family from entering and further residing in Great Britain.

But back to the Christmas speech. At first it was broadcast on the radio. The tradition was interrupted twice - in 1936 and 1938. After the outbreak of World War II, in 1939, King George V decided to revive and strengthen it in order to strengthen the spirit of the British people.

Elizabeth II made her first radio address in 1952, and in 1957 her speech was broadcast on television for the first time. Unlike other monarchs, the queen prepares the text of the Christmas address without the help of the prime minister and puts a lot of personal things into the message.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain addressed the nation with the traditional annual solemn Christmas speech, in which she stated that she did not lose hope for the future, despite the gloomy events that the world faced in 2015, and expressed hope for "light in the darkness."

The speech of Elizabeth II is published on her official website, as well as made public on the British Monarchy YouTube account.

“It is true that the world has experienced gloomy events this year,” the Queen said, sitting at her desk in an 18th-century study at Buckingham Palace, “but there is a line in the Gospel of John that inspires great hope. It is often read during Christmas services:” And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." One of the reasons for our gratitude this summer was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. On Victory Day over Japan, we honored the surviving veterans of this brutal conflict on Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who did not return."

Elizabeth II noted that "for Joseph and Mary, the conditions in which Jesus was born - in a stable - were far from ideal, but the worst was ahead of them when the family was forced to leave the country." "No wonder," she added, "that such a human story still intrigues and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians around the world." The Queen recalled that Jesus, "despite being driven from his place and persecuted throughout his short life," proclaimed "an unchanging truth, not about revenge or violence, but simply that we should love one another."

The head of the British crown also recalled that her ancestors, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, were involved in the popularization of Christmas trees, following the example of which many Britons also began to use this holiday symbol. "When we gather around the Christmas tree, we get the opportunity to think about the coming year - I personally look forward to a busy 2016, although I was warned that they could sing a toast in honor of my birthday more than once or twice," the Queen reminded her of her upcoming 90th anniversary.

"It also allows us to reflect on the passing year as we think of those who are far away or who are no longer with us. Many people say that the first Christmas after the loss of a loved one is especially difficult. But it is also a time remember those to whom we are grateful,” said Elizabeth II.

In the past year, her fifth great-granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, was born. She was born on May 2nd. Parents already showed to her public, gathered at the London hospital of St. Mary. After giving birth, before departing for Kensington Palace, the couple posed for reporters on the porch of the hospital. The princess herself, who did not yet have a name, however, overslept everything.

Her full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. The first name is the female form of the name Charles, which is her grandfather, the second name was given to her in honor of her great-grandmother - Queen Elizabeth II, and the third - in memory of her late grandmother - Princess Diana of Wales. Charlotte is fourth in line to the throne. The baptism of the princess took place on July 5.

Elizabeth II herself writes her messages at Christmas, and, as the correspondent notes

A great opportunity to practice simultaneous translation. And the Dozhd TV channel made its own translation:

“At this time of the year, few things are more emotional than the sparkling lights of a Christmas tree.

It is worth saying thank you for the fact that the Second World War ended in the summer of 70 years ago.

The procession from the Horse Guards to Westminster Abbey must be the slowest of all, because so many people want to say "thank you".

At the end of the war, people from Oslo began sending daily gifts to the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. There were 500 luminous balls on it, and not only Christians, but also people of all religions, and atheists admired the spruce. And at the very top of the spruce was a bright star, symbolizing the star of Bethlehem.

Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus, were far from idyllic in the barn where Jesus was born, but they were worse - the family had to flee the country.

And it is no wonder that such a touching story still excites our imagination and continues to inspire Christians from all over the world.

Despite the persecution in his short life, Jesus left us an unchanging message that is not full of revenge and violence, but, simply, love for each other.

And although this is not an easy covenant to fulfill, we should not become discouraged. This covenant should inspire us to try harder, be grateful for those people who bring us love and happiness, and look for opportunities to bring love to others, everywhere and at all times.

Traditional decorations have changed a bit since the first V&A Christmas tree, of course, electric lights have replaced candles.

There is a saying that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. And millions of people light candles as a sign of hope in our world.

Christmas is a time to say "thank you" to those who bring light into our lives.

I wish you a Merry Christmas!"

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