The queen delivered her Christmas speech to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK, in which she chose to focus on the topic of family and unity.
Her message fell short however, as many called her 'out of touch' for talking about poverty while sat in front of a golden piano. The elaborate piano features cherubs and has been in the royal family for more than a century. Made from mahogany and painted gold, the S & P Erard piano was first purchased by Queen Victoria in 1856.
The queen delivered her annual Christmas Day speech at 3pm, where she spoke about austerity and Brexit, and the ties that bind.
She praised the Commonwealth for "the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to lie in a better, more peaceful world".
Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.
Which is fair enough, they're certainly hot topics at the moment. However, delivering the speech in front of a lavish golden piano - even if it appears to be a royal heirloom - inside of a lavish palace has made people angry.
Anyone else see the gold piano sitting behind the Queen when she gave that speech on poverty or was that just me— Ghufran (@Ghufran) 1545834032
The Queen talking about self sacrifice in front of a massive golden piano there https://t.co/pHUQ0zTkeE— James Felton (@James Felton) 1545750354
Privileged wealthy hereditary monarch bunged £76m a year, sitting in front of a golden piano in the palace she's bi… https://t.co/W0bBmI10Fm— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1545813901
“So sad all those people going to foodbanks and sleeping on the streets. So to cheer them up I suggest we gather ro… https://t.co/2jwdxy0cSs— James Dornan SNP (@James Dornan SNP) 1545817840
We're at the point where, with homeless people literally dying on the streets, a third of Welsh children living in… https://t.co/0mahWglW2o— Marxteg (@Marxteg) 1545785268
Multi-billionaire tells people to be nice to others at #Christmas. A decade of austerity, massive homelessness and… https://t.co/Y3yylaFtT8— Kristian Harstad stands with Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@Kristian Harstad stands with Ukraine 🇺🇦) 1545824277
Many people thought her speech was insensitive given the high rates of poverty - brought about, in part, due to austerity. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 4.1 million children are living in poverty, up 500,000 in the last five years.
According to the charity Shelter, one in every 200 person in the UK is homeless. That's an estimated 307,000 people in Britain sleeping rough or in inadequate housing conditions.
Alright Queen Lizzy next year give your speech in front of a food bank. https://t.co/Kl59a7hu7o— Choko (@Choko) 1545828682
Viewers are urging the queen to deliver her speech next year in front of a foodbank to reflect the state of the country and its poorest inhabitants.
"Alright Queen Lizzy next year give your speech in front of a food bank."
Something to think about.
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