An annual event long-steeped in tradition, the Royal Christmas message was delivered by Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday as the Royal Family looked back at a notable year of adventure, including the birth of a future king.
The annual greetings from the 87-year-old monarch, broadcast in Britain and around the world, followed several annual Christmas events.
Following tradition, the Royal family began their yuletide celebrations at Sandringham House, the Queen’s private estate located in Norfolk, on Christmas Eve with a black-tie dinner and the opening of Christmas presents.
On Christmas morning, the Royals attended a public church service.
This year’s multi-day gathering caps off a year of significant events in the life of the Royal family, most notably the July birth of Prince George to Prince William and his wife, Kate.
The young prince’s much-anticipated arrival was met with celebrations across Britain and the Commonwealth as George, now five months old, was presented to the world in the arms of his parents outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London on July 23, a day after his birth.
Prince George is third in line for the throne, behind his father and grandfather, Prince Charles.
Shortly after the birth of his son, Prince William announced he would be leaving his job as a search-and-rescue pilot in the British military to focus on his royal duties and charity work.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, softened his ‘bad boy’ image in 2013 compared to years past, completing his second tour of duty in Afghanistan earlier this year. More recently, he participated in a charity expedition to the South Pole with wounded war veterans.
Looking ahead to next year, the Queen is set become a great-grandmother for the fourth time in 2014. Her granddaughter, Zara Phillips, is due to give birth in January.
And in April, Prince William and Catherine are scheduled to travel to New Zealand and Australia on an official visit.
Kensington Palace said it is “anticipated” that Prince George will accompany his parents on the trip down under, but a final decision has yet to be made.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights in the life of the Royal Family in 2013:
January: Prince Harry returns from a 20-week military tour in Afghanistan where he served as an Apache helicopter gunner. It was Harry’s second deployment to the Mideast country, following a 2007-2008 tour as a ground soldier. In interviews, he talks about his responsibility on missions in which he killed Taliban fighters.
April: During a brief solo visit to Toronto, Prince Philip presents a new regimental colour to the Petawawa-based Third Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. While in Canada, he is also named a Companion of the Order of Canada and a Commander of the Order of Military Merit.
June: Prince Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, spends 10 days in a London hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery, followed by several weeks of convalescence.
June 4: Queen Elizabeth marks the 60th anniversary of her coronation with a ceremony at Westminster Abbey attended by 2,000 people, including dozens of members of her immediate family.
July 22: Prince George is born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London after Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, goes into labour. At one day old, the future heir to the throne is revealed to the world as his parents emerge from the hospital to speak with the throng of reporters camped outside.
October 23: Making his second public appearance since his birth, Prince George is christened in a small, 45-minute service at St. James’s Palace. The ceremony is attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, Charles and his wife, Camilla, Harry and members of Kate’s family. William and Kate name seven godparents.
November 14: Prince Charles, first in line to the throne, turns 65, and qualifies for a government pension of approximately $175 per week. Palace officials say the future king planned to contribute his pension earnings to a charity that aids elderly people.
December: Prince Harry, 29, completes a two-week, 320-kilometre trek to the Antarctica as part of the Walking with the Wounded South Pole Challenge, an expedition that raises money for charity as well as awareness about the sacrifices of military men and women.
