The
Queen told the nation of the need for "life to go on" in her
Christmas Day broadcast to millions. In a touching message, after such a
terrible year, Her Majesty spoke of the importance of getting through the
Coronavirus pandemic. She described how she had been “inspired” by
the tens of thousands of Brits who had volunteered to help during the
crisis. And she paid tribute to the NHS staff who risked their own lives
to care for Covid-19 victims saying we all owed them a “debt of
gratitude.” Read here.
Outside St James's Palace crowds gathered to catch a
glimpse of Kate and William's baby son, who was today seen in public for only
the second time since he was born in July. Some royal watchers camped outside the palace for more than 24 hours to obtain a good vantage point to watch the guests arrive, but the ceremony was private. Britain's three-month-old future
monarch, Prince George, wearing a long christening robe, arrived in his
father's arms with his mother by their side, and appeared to wave at his
great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, although it was really a case of William
moving his son's hand up and down; they joined the few royals attending his
baptism, described as an 'intimate family affair'. Only the Queen, The Duke of
Edinburgh, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry saw the
heir to the throne baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, theMost
Reverend Justin Welby, in the little known Chapel Royal this afternoon.
William and Kate hired photographer Jason Bell to take
official pictures, which are expected to include a historic multi-generational
photograph of the queen with three future monarchs: her son Charles, her
grandson William and her great-grandson George.
Here you can read about Prince George's christening.
At 4.24 pm on July 22 a baby was born in London. But not just any baby! This baby boy is a prince and will probably one day be the King of England.
Here you can read an article about Prince William, his beautiful wife Kate Middleton and their son George Alexander Louis. And don't forget to do the exercises!
The Queen has joined 2,000 guests for a service at Westminster Abbey to
mark 60 years since her Coronation.
Some
of those who took part in the 1953 service were among the congregation. Inside
the abbey, several generations of the royal family
waited: the Queen's son, Prince Charles, now in his 60s, and next in line to
the throne, and her grandson, Prince William, second in line, with his pregnant wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who is due to give birth to
yet another royal heir next month.
Britain's
Prime Minister David Cameron - the 12th to serve under Queen Elizabeth - gave
the reading to all the guests gathered at the abbey.
Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Rev Justin Welby said the event
honoured "60 years of commitment".
Several key items from the Coronation were placed in
Westminster Abbey for the service.
They included the heavy, solid gold St Edward's Crown, displayed on the
High Altar – it hasn’t been out of the
Tower of London since 1953. Beside it was the Ampulla, the gold, eagle-shaped
bottle from which the holy oil was poured for the Queen's anointing. The Coronation Chair, one of the oldest pieces of
English furniture still in use, was also on show.
Here you can watch a beautiful video of the 1953 Coronation ceremony!
On 21st April 1926, Princess
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at
her paternal grandfather's home on 17 Bruton Street in London's Mayfair
neighborhood. When her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated the
throne in 1936, Princess Elizabeth became heir to the British throne.
87 years after her birth, Queen Elizabeth II follows Queen Victoria as the
longest-reigning sovereign in British history. Should she remain on the
throne through September 9th, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II will surpass her
great-great grandmother reign.
Her Majesty chose to celebrate her birthday "in private" at
Windsor Castle today.
