According to many royal experts, the British monarchy has rarely been so shaken since Diana’s death in Paris over twenty years ago. This is surely why Queen Elizabeth II intends to call on the British, during her traditional Christmas address which will be broadcast on December 25, to overcome their divisions.
For the 93-year-old sovereign, 2019 began with a car accident in the home of her husband Prince Philip, who ended it with hospitalization. In the meantime, their son Andrew has become involved in a sex scandal and their grandson Harry has publicly unpacked his feelings in the face of media pressure.
"Small steps taken with faith and hope can overcome old differences and deep divisions to bring harmony and understanding", must declare Elizabeth II, according to extracts from her speech broadcast before its broadcast.
"Of course, the path is not always easy and may have seemed fraught this year, but small steps can make huge differences"
The sovereign’s call for reconciliation comes at a time when the United Kingdom is preparing for a historic turning point, with a planned exit from the European Union on January 31, after three and a half years of political chaos.
Remained of an unshakable neutrality during the psychodrama, Elizabeth II returns in her Christmas speech on the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings, when "Those who had been sworn enemies came together for commemorations on both sides of the Channel".
"By wanting to put the differences of the past behind us and moving forward together, we honor the freedom and democracy won for us at such a high cost", should she add.
The Epstein Affair
More direct in his own Christmas message, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, free to implement Brexit after his electoral victory on December 12, calls on his fellow citizens to "Don't argue too much" during the festivities.
Perhaps the most embarrassing affair of the year for the monarchy came from Prince Andrew's past friendship with American financier Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide in prison on suspicion of having sexually exploited underage girls for years.
The second son of Elizabeth II is accused by an American woman of having sex with her while she was in the grip of Jeffrey Epstein. He tried to defend himself by categorically denying in a BBC interview. But the exercise was judged disastrous by the British press, pushing him to withdraw from public life.
A monarchy still very popular
The royal family also had to deal with criticism of Prince Harry’s wife Meghan. Prince Charles’s younger son ended up suing several tabloids accused of persecuting the American actress as they did with his mother Diana. After covering public life challenges in a documentary, the couple took a few weeks off and spent Christmas away from the rest of the royal family in Canada with their son Archie, born May 6.
To finish off the year, Prince Philip, 98, was hospitalized on Friday due to "Pre-existing problems". The queen’s husband, known for his impetuous character, had to give up driving in January after causing an accident, from which he emerged unharmed.
Despite the difficulties, the queen, like royalty, remains very popular. According to a Yougov Institute survey conducted this fall, 80% of Britons have a positive opinion of Elizabeth II and 70% are in favor of the monarchy.
The scandals involving Andrew and Harry's moods, however, have fueled calls for the royal family to minimize the number of members paid for their representation.
