By Estelle Shirbon

LONDON, (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain spoke out about the death of Prince Philip Saturday. She recalled the “mischievous twinkle” in Philip’s eyes and sent a very personal Christmas message.

According to the monarch, 95 years old, Christmas is a time for happiness. However, for people who have lost their loved ones during the year, this year was especially difficult for them. She lost Philip (99) in April, after 73 marriages.

In her festive pre-recorded broadcast she said, “His sense to service, intellectual curiosity, and ability to squeeze joy out of any circumstance were all unrepressible.” She was paying tribute to Philip.

“That mischievous, enquiring twinkle wasn’t as bright as it was when I first looked at him,” she stated.

According to the queen, Philip wanted his family to have Christmas fun.

Sitting at a table, she delivered her address. On the desk was a photo of Philip and herself standing side-by-side and smiling at one another. This photo was taken by Philip and her in 2007 as they celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

She wore the same sapphire brooch which she wore for her 1947 honeymoon and the Diamond Wedding portrait. During her speech, she showed photos of Philip and their relationship at different stages in their lives.

Elizabeth spent Christmas at Windsor Castle in west London this year for the second time, breaking from the royal tradition of the COVID-19 epidemic. According to a palace source, this was done as a precautionary measure because the Omicron strain is rapidly spreading.

She was due to be visited by close family, including Prince Charles and Camilla, her youngest son. Her public appearance was unlikely.

All the Windsors usually gather at Sandringham in east England for Christmas. The tradition of walking to church in the vicinity for Christmas services is an integral part of the royal calendar.

The Queen cancelled last week a lunch she had with her family because of Britain’s record-breaking daily COVID infections.

She also mentioned her forthcoming Platinum Jubilee Year, which will begin in February, and mark 70 years of her reign on the throne. She is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having in 2015 overtaken her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

She stated that she hopes the jubilee will be an opportunity for people to “give thanks for the huge changes in the past 70 years, both socially and scientifically, as well as to look forward with confidence.”