As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II was bound by convention to observe strict political neutrality and restraint.
But during her record-breaking reign, she regularly revealed snippets about her own life and family, especially during her annual Christmas broadcast.
Here are some notable quotes on family from the queen:
“My husband’s absence at this time has made me even more aware than I was before of my own good fortune in being one of a united family.”
— 1956 Christmas broadcast, when Philip was on a Commonwealth tour on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
“No marriage can hope to succeed without a deliberate effort to be tolerant and understanding.”
— 1972 Christmas broadcast, as the couple celebrated 25 years of marriage.
“He (Philip) has been a constant strength and guide.”
— March 20, 2012 speech to parliament to mark her 60 years on the throne.
“I don’t know that anyone had invented the term ‘platinum’ for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born. You weren’t supposed to be around that long.”
— 2017 Christmas broadcast, as Elizabeth and Philip celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
– On being a grandmother –
The queen welcomed the birth of her great-grandson, Prince George, in 2013, Prince William’s first child with his wife Catherine / © AFP
“Here at home, my own family is a little larger this Christmas.
“As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope.”
— Christmas broadcast 2013, after the birth of Prince George, the first child of her grandson Prince William and his wife, Catherine, on July 22.
“It’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied.”
— Christmas broadcast 2018, after two of the queen’s grandchildren, Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie, got married, and Prince William and Zara Tindall both welcomed new babies.
– On deaths and difficulties –
“1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.
“In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘annus horribilis’.”
— November 24, 1992 speech to mark her 40th year on the throne, after three of her four children saw their marriages break down, and a fire ravaged Windsor Castle.
Elizabeth became queen in 1952 after the death of her father, king George VI. Her mother, also called Elizabeth, died in 2002 / © PLANET NEWS/AFP
“We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss, since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger — and concern for those who remain.
“We have all felt those emotions in these last few days.”
— September 5, 1997 broadcast to the nation after the death on August 30 of Diana, princess of Wales, in a car crash in Paris.
“Over the years I have met many people who have had to cope with family loss, sometimes in the most tragic of circumstances.
“So I count myself fortunate that my mother was blessed with a long and happy life.”
— April 8, 2002 message after the death of Queen Elizabeth on March 30 aged 101.
In the unusually personal message broadcast, the 95-year-old monarch said that she and her family were missing the Duke of Edinburgh, who died aged 99 in April / © POOL/AFP
“Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year especially I understand why.”
— Christmas broadcast 2022, reflecting on the death of Prince Philip earlier that year
