London:
All a lot of men and women want for Christmas this year is a easy hug, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth mentioned in her annual festive message, saying it would be challenging for these who lost loved ones to COVID-19 pandemic or have been separated by curbs on social mixing.
In her standard pre-recorded Christmas Day address to the nation, the 94-year-old monarch repeatedly spoke of hope for the future while acknowledging millions of Britons would be unable to have their usual loved ones celebrations this year.
“Of course for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness; some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety when all they really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand,” Elizabeth mentioned.
“If you are among them, you are not alone. And let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.”
The queen herself has had to eschew her standard Christmas celebrations, and is spending the festive season quietly at Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Philip, 99.
Usually, all the Windsors collect at her residence on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, the stroll to a nearby church for a Christmas Day service is a staple of the royal calendar.
However, Britain is presently battling to curb the spread of a new variant of the novel coronavirus, with the quantity of new infections reaching record levels this week and the quantity of hospital admissions and death soaring.
Much of the nation has been placed below tight restrictions, and for London and the surrounding locations, households are not permitted to mix at all more than Christmas, whilst for other locations there are strict curbs limiting get in touch with to just a single day.
“Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has in many ways brought us closer,” mentioned the queen, adding the royals had been inspired by stories of these who volunteered to assist other individuals in require.
“In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year and I’m so proud and moved by this quiet indomitable spirit.”
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