If there’s one thing we all know to be true, even those who aren’t as obsessed with the Royal Family as we are, it’s that the monarchy never gets political. Its why Meghan’s feminist speeches have caused shockwaves for ‘breaking royal protocol’ and why Kate never wore black to the Bafta’s earlier this year when the dress code was used as a show of support for #TimesUp. However, in an unprecedented move by the head of the monarchy, the Queen is about to give a seemingly political message herself.
In her televised speech on Christmas Day, the Queen is set to urge a divided nation to be respectful of one another, and will reference ‘deeply held differences’ that have proven to exist across the country in the wake of Brexit. While she will won’t mention Brexit directly, nor any other political row of the last 12 months (well, we’d be there all day) she is set to urge people to have more consideration for others, and encourage everyone to follow the message of Christ to heed ‘peace on earth and goodwill’.
Her words were released today, ahead of the speech, in order to get the message out to as many people as possible. ‘Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding,’ she will say, ‘I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever.’
The broadcast took place on the morning Theresa May was warned she was facing a vote of no confidence, and her speech is thought to reflect on the political disruption we’ve been experiencing in the UK most notably since the first Brexit draft deal was announced in November. As her last Christmas broadcast before we leave the EU, it’s an unprecedentedly political message.
Recorded from the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, the speech will air tomorrow at 3pm and typically lasts around 10 minutes, where she reflects on the last 12 months. It’s no surprise then that in a particularly tumultuous year in politics, the Queen would feel obliged to give a pointed message towards uniting the country. When asked whether the speech relates to Brexit, a Palace spokesperson said 'the Queen's words speak for themselves.'
It will not only be delivered to the entire Commonwealth, but is known to be watched together by the Royal Family altogether, a tradition which began in 1932. This will be the follow-up to their Christmas dinner, having spent the morning at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate for the Christmas Day service (aka the annual festive royal photo opportunity, where they’re greeted by local well-wishers). This is after a breakfast of strange double-standards, whereby the women in the family eat fruit in bed while the men have a full english... maybe it's about time the Queen got a bit more political.