Queen Elizabeth Honors Late Husband Prince Philip In Emotional Christmas Speech

Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas speech since the death of her husband Prince Philip earlier this year.

The 95-year-old British monarch's annual Christmas broadcast started with an excerpt of a speech she gave in 1997 at Banqueting House, in honor of her 50th wedding anniversary with the late Duke of Edinburgh.

In her Christmas speech, which was filmed earlier this month in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the Queen confessed that she misses her husband of 73 years.

"Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why," Queen Elizabeth II was quoted by People as saying in her speech Saturday.

She went on to say that she drew "great comfort" from the tributes to Prince Philip's life and work that poured in from across the U.K., the Commonwealth and around the world in the months following his death.

"His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation – were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him," Her Majesty continued. "But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas."

Prince Philip died in April, two months before his 100th birthday. His wife also honored him during the broadcast by wearing the sapphire chrysanthemum brooch that she previously sported in a photocall during their honeymoon at Broadlands Country House in Hampshire, England, in 1947 and their 70th wedding anniversary in 2017, Page Six noted.

Sitting on her desk next to her is a photo of the royal couple from their 2007 trip to Broadlands to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary. The monarch can also be seen wearing the same brooch in the picture.

During her speech, Queen Elizabeth confessed to missing Prince Philip but said she felt "his presence" as she prepared for the holiday season.

Touching on COVID-19, the Queen said that while the pandemic continues to prevent people from celebrating the holidays the way they would have liked, everyone can still enjoy "many happy traditions" such as decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts and watching holiday films.

Queen Elizabeth also acknowledged the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet "Lili" Diana, who is named after her great-grandmother and grandmother.

"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," the monarch said.

Along with the arrival of Lili, Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed daughter Sienna Elizabeth, Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank welcomed son August Philip Hawke and Zara Tindall and husband Mike welcomed son Lucas this year.

The Queen went on to praise Prince Philip's legacy, which includes The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and his environmental work. She said his causes will continue to be championed by their son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William, with the support of their respective wives, Duchess Camilla and Duchess Kate.

"I wish you all a very happy Christmas," she concluded her speech.

Queen Elizabeth and the royal family normally reunite for the holidays at Sandringham House, the monarch's country estate in Norfolk. However, she changed her plans this year and opted to celebrate Christmas and the New Year in Windsor Castle for the second time in a row due to COVID-19.