The Queen gave a subtle nod to Harry and Meghan’s newest addition Lilibet in a speech laden with praise for her recently deceased husband Prince Philip

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

The Queen’s Speech 2021: Watch in full

The Queen showered her family with praise and made mention of her four new grandchildren in her Christmas speech – which illustrated her lasting love and appreciation for the departed Prince Philip.

In her festive broadcast, the monarch welcomed the arrival of Lilibet, along with three other great grandchildren, August, Lucas and Sienna, who were all born this year.

She made a moving speech about how much she misses the “mischievous twinkle” and “familiar laugh” of the Duke of Edinburgh, lamenting her first Christmas without her “beloved” husband.

The Queen said Christmas is thought of as a “time for children” – but added this was only “half the story”.

She said: “Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.

“And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year.

“They teach us all a lesson – just as the Christmas story does – that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.”

Prince Philip died in April, aged 99 – leaving the Queen without him by her side for the first Christmas in 73 years.

In her deeply personal message, she fondly spoke of his achievements – saying she was “proud beyond words” of his accolades.

She wore a treasured sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which she wore during the couple’s honeymoon in 1947 and at their 60th wedding anniversary.

That same picture was recreated by the couple in 2017 for their anniversary and the recreated image could be seen next to her on the desk as she paid a loving tribute to her late husband.

The Queen also showered son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William with praise for their climate activism work with their respective wives.

She said: “We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times.

“I see it in my own family and it is a source of great happiness.

“Prince Philip was always mindful of this sense of passing the baton.

“That’s why he created The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which offers young people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond the chance of exploration and adventure.

“It remains an astonishing success, grounded in his faith in the future.

“He was also an early champion of taking seriously our stewardship of the environment, and I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William – admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine – most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow.”