The Queen said the Royal Family "felt" the presence of Prince Philip while celebrating their first Christmas without their patriarch. The Duke of Edinburgh died aged 99 in April and 2021 marked the first year Her Majesty spent the holidays without him since their marriage in 1947. In her speech this year, the Queen said: "We felt his presence as we, like millions around the world, readied ourselves for Christmas.

       "While Covid again means we can't celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions.

       "Be it the singing of carols - as long as the tune is well known - decorating the tree, giving and receiving presents, or watching a favourite film where we already know the ending, it's no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines.

       "We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions, and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times.

       "I see it in my own family and it is a source of great happiness."

       JUST IN: Queen's 'especially significant' Christmas message to bring UK to halt as Covid cases soar

       She however admitted to feeling a sense of sadness about spending the holidays without her husband.

       Her Majesty said: "Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones.

       "This year, especially, I understand why.

       "But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work - from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world."

       READ MORE: Meghan pips Kate to new title after Sussex breakaway from Firm

       The Queen celebrated her first Christmas without the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.

       Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall joined her on Christmas Day alongside Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex.

       Her Majesty's cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, and his wife Birgitte joined the Royal Family for the scaled-down celebrations.

       DON'T MISS

       The Equalizer delayed: CBS' Queen Latifah drama taken off air [INSIGHT]

       The Royal Family's ‘Victorian’ Christmas menu at Sandringham [ANALYSIS]

       Kate Middleton earrings: Sweet tribute to absent Queen at Christmas [INSIGHT]

       Princess Anne was also expected to join the family in Berkshire but was forced to shelve her Christmas plans after her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, tested positive for Covid.

       Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge also opted out of the royal celebrations and remained in Norfolk with their three children.

       The Queen was forced to also renounce her traditional pre-Christmas lunch earlier this week as she wanted to "set an example" for the UK as cases of coronavirus started rising again,