The Queen's Personal Touch: Crafting Her Own Words For Charles' Wedding

Queen Elizabeth II made a speech at her son King Charles III's wedding to Queen Consort Camilla in 2005. The Queen did not attend the civil ceremony, but she and her husband, the late Duke of Edinburgh, hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle, where she gave a speech. The Queen's speech was `unusually sentimental' and included a nod to her lifelong passion for horses. She said:

> They have overcome Becher's Brook and the Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles...They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.

The speech was well-received by the guests, with one guest, Jilly Cooper, commenting that everyone was in stitches.

Queen Elizabeth's speech at Charles and Camilla's wedding

Queen Elizabeth's speech at her son Charles and Camilla's wedding was described as "unusually sentimental" and "witty". The Queen chose not to attend the wedding ceremony, but she did host a lavish reception at Windsor Castle, where she gave a speech.

Addressing the 800 guests, the Queen began with a nod to her lifelong passion for horses:

> "They have overcome Becher's Brook and the Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles. They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves."

The speech was well-received by the guests, many of whom had never heard the Queen speak in person before. Jilly Cooper, a friend of Charles and Camilla, later told the Telegraph:

> "It was such a lovely affectionate tribute."

The Queen's speech was also a way for her to give her blessing and acceptance of the marriage. This mirrored the attitude of the country after the wedding, as Camilla was finally accepted by the public.

While the exact words of the Queen's speech are not known, it is believed that she decided not to use the opportunity to announce her abdication.

The Queen's absence from the ceremony

The civil ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla's wedding was notably missing the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip. The absence of the groom's parents from the ceremony sparked much speculation. However, the reason for their absence was much simpler than many might assume.

As the sovereign and head of the Church of England, Queen Elizabeth decided it was not appropriate for her to attend the wedding of two people who had previously been divorced. While recognising divorce as a sad fact of life, the Church of England does not encourage it. As a devout believer, the Queen could not be seen to question the Church's values in any way. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, she told a friend: "I am not able to go. I do not feel that my position permits it."

The Queen and Prince Philip did attend the Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle later that day and hosted a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle, making their support for the couple clear.

The Queen's relationship with Camilla

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla Parker Bowles's relationship was strained at the beginning, with the Queen refusing to acknowledge Camilla's existence. This was due to the fact that Diana, Princess of Wales, blamed Camilla for the failure of her marriage to Prince Charles.

The Queen reportedly once referred to Camilla as a wicked woman and expressed that she wanted "nothing to do with her". Elizabeth also believed that Charles had "put personal concerns before duty" and that Camilla was a possible liability to the throne.

The Queen and Camilla first met in 2000 at the former king of Greece's 60th birthday party, which was hosted by Charles. The Queen also missed Charles' 50th birthday party because Camilla was in attendance.

However, the relationship between the two women improved over time. In 2005, the Queen gave her blessing to Charles and Camilla's marriage and attended their wedding. She also gave a speech at the wedding, in which she welcomed her son and his bride to the winners' enclosure. The Queen went on to bestow various honours on Camilla, including making her a member of the Privy Council in 2016.

In February 2022, the Queen announced that it was her wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort when Charles ascended the throne. This was a significant shift from earlier statements that she would be known as Princess Consort.

In summary, while the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, Queen Consort had a rocky start, it improved over time, with the Queen ultimately accepting and supporting Camilla's role in the royal family.

The Queen's abdication

In a surprising turn of events, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced her abdication in a New Year's Eve speech on December 31, 2023. The announcement came as a shock to the nation, as Denmark's monarch expressed her intention to step down on January 14, 2024, marking 52 years since her ascension to the throne. This decision goes against Danish constitutional practice, as the last time a Danish sovereign voluntarily relinquished the throne was in 1146.

Queen Margrethe's decision to abdicate was influenced by her health, specifically citing the extensive back surgery she underwent in February 2023. In her speech, she acknowledged that with age, the number of "ailments" increases, and the time had come to pass on the responsibility to the next generation. The 83-year-old monarch's voice cracked as she shared her decision, demonstrating the weight of the moment.

Queen Margrethe's abdication stands in contrast to Queen Elizabeth II of England, who chose not to abdicate despite speculation portrayed in the final season of "The Crown." Queen Elizabeth remained steadfast in her commitment to her role, stating that abdication was "something I can't do" and that she would "carry on to the end." This unwavering dedication to her duty as an anointed Queen is a key distinction between the two monarchs.

The Queen of Denmark's decision to step down and pass the throne to the next generation marks a significant moment in the country's history, one that has left the nation in shock but is also regarded as a wise decision.

The Queen's reception for the newlyweds

The Queen gave a highly anticipated speech, which was described as "unusually sentimental" for the monarch. She began by referencing her lifelong passion for horses, saying:

> They have overcome Becher's Brook and the Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles... They have come through and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.

The speech was well-received by the guests, with Jilly Cooper, a friend of Charles and Camilla, commenting that "everyone was in stitches". Another guest noted that it was a "lovely affectionate tribute".

The Queen's speech also included a cheeky joke about the Grand National, as she had prioritised watching the race over attending the wedding ceremony. She said:

> I have two important announcements to make. I know you will all want to know who was the winner of the Grand National. It was Hedgehunter.

Overall, the reception was a lavish affair, celebrating the union of the former Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who had been in a relationship for nearly 35 years before tying the knot.

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