Queen Elizabeth remembers Prince Philip in Christmas speech, no mention of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Andrew

Queen Elizabeth shared the pain she felt after the death of her husband as she encouraged people everywhere to celebrate Christmas with friends and family, despite the grief caused by the ongoing pandemic.

"Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,’’ the queen said in the prerecorded message broadcast when many British families were enjoying their traditional Christmas dinner. "This year, especially, I understand why.’’

This festive season is the first since the monarch said goodbye to her husband of more than 70 years in a service in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time meant that the queen sat alone — a poignant reminder of how she would spend her life going forward.