The Queens traditional Christmas speech to the nation reflected on her personal ups and downs during the last year. She spoke of her grief after losing her sister, Princess Margaret, and her Mother.
The Queen said that the loss had been, "tempered by the generous tributes". As for the celebrations for her Golden Jubilee she said: "The celebrations were joyous occasions but they also seemed to evoke something more lasting and profound,
a sense of belonging and pride in country, town, or community." The Queen rounded off her speech saying that she leaned on the "message of hope" in the bible and the support of the British citizens.
