'It was an amazing experience': Singer from chart-topping NHS choir who sang during the Queen's Christmas broadcast says 'it was like a child being given all the nicest things in the world'
A member of the chart-topping NHS choir chosen to appear in the Queen's Christmas broadcast has said the experience was 'amazing'.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir performed the carol Joy To The World from Windsor Castle at the close of the Queen's annual address - a heartfelt message of hope to the country.
Andre Levy, who sings bass parts with the choir, said: 'Only now am I digesting the experience, it was too much to take in on the day.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir performed the carol Joy To The World from Windsor Castle at the close of the Queen's annual address
'It's like a child being given all the nicest things in the world in one go, without being able to sift through and appreciate it. It was an amazing experience.'
The choir's single A Bridge Over You was Christmas number one in 2015 after a neck and neck race with Justin Bieber's hit Love Yourself.
When Bieber learned more about the rival choir, he urged fans to download their track and he later became friends with the group when they met.
The choir's single A Bridge Over You was Christmas number one in 2015 after a neck and neck race with Justin Bieber's hit Love Yourself
Andre Levy, who sings bass parts with the choir, said the experience was 'amazing' and said it was 'too much to take in'
The choir were kept in the dark about their big commission to appear in the Christmas broadcast
The global star and Chance the Rapper teamed up with the NHS workers to re-record their hit single Holy, released last week in aid of NHS Charities Together and the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity.
The choir were kept in the dark about their big commission to appear in the Christmas broadcast, and were only told to learn the carol and meet up at their regular rehearsal space at University Hospital Lewisham, in south-east London, when all would be revealed.
Mr Levy, who works as a medical records clerk for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, joined the choir just after its number one success.
Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper teamed up with the NHS workers to re-record their hit single Holy
The choir were dtold to learn the carol and meet up at their regular rehearsal space at University Hospital Lewisham, in south-east London, when all would be revealed
'We were absolutely oblivious, everything was kept out of sight. Some of us were speculating among ourselves that it might be a high-profile celebrity, we even thought possibly royalty', said Mr Levy.
He said the group could not believe the news when told in mid-December: 'Everyone was shocked, there was a little bit of silence but overall there was a euphoric feeling.
'Everyone was extremely excited, including myself, and felt very privileged to be a part of something like that.'
Their Christmas single was released last week in aid of NHS Charities Together and the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity
Mr Levy, who works as a medical records clerk for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, joined the choir just after its number one success
After being told, the choir travelled separately to Windsor, due to coronavirus, and recorded the carol in the castle's St George's Hall.
Mr Levy said the event was a positive way to end a difficult year: 'This is like the light at the end of the tunnel.
'With everything that people have gone through - it's been one of the toughest years in history - it's wonderful to end on a high.'
The Queen today delivered a message of comfort to everyone who 'just wants a hug' this Christmas, telling them, 'You are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers'.
The monarch, 94, spoke of the coming of 'light and hope' embodied in the birth of Christ as she gave her annual Christmas message at a time when many of her subjects remain apart from their families due to the pandemic.
The address comes at the end of a torrid year for Her Majesty, who alongside Covid and rancour over Brexit has witnessed the splintering of her own family, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's move to the US.
Their decision to step down as senior royals prompted painful decisions for the monarch, including requiring the couple to drop their 'Sussex Royal' label - which was not thought to be compatible with their new status.
Her Majesty has also been faced with revelations about her son Prince Andrew's friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, a scandal of a scale not faced by the royals since the aftermath of Diana's death.
Addressing her subjects in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth, the Queen paid a moving tribute to the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic who had risen to the challenge of helping those in need.
And she praised emergency and charity workers, including the men and women of the NHS, for continuing the legacy of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, who is known to history as 'the Lady with the Lamp'.
Her Majesty was wearing the Queen Mother's shell brooch, which she has worn on many special occasions including Zara Phillips’ wedding to Mike Tindall, and sat next to a framed photograph of Prince Philip.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir performed the carol Joy To The World from Windsor Castle at the close of the Queen's annual address - a heartfelt message of hope to the country
Prior to the message members of the Queen's guard were seen parading through the Windsor Castle bailey in a classic display of pomp and pageantry
'Light brings hope': The Queen's powerful Christmas message in full
'Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood - light brings hope.
'For Christians, Jesus is 'the light of the world', but we can't celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.
'Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity - despite social distancing.
'Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.
'In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
'This year, we celebrated International Nurses' Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
'Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
'We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn.
'Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
'Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
'The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.
'In November, we commemorated another hero - though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn't a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War - a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
'The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That's the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
'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'd really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.
'If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.
'The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus's birth. Let the light of Christmas - the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope - guide us in the times ahead.
'It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.'
In 1992, the Queen famously told an audience at London's Guildhall how the past 12 months had been an 'annus horribilis' - Latin for horrible year - in the wake of multiple royal divorces, damaging revelations about Diana and the Windsor Castle fire.
Although she did not reference the phrase this year, the backdrop of a painful 2020 remained ever present throughout her address.
The Queen spoke of how people had responded to the ravages of the pandemic by helping others, as she praised her subjects' 'quiet, indomitable spirit'.
'Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer,' she said. 'Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.
'In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
'This year, we celebrated International Nurses' Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
'Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
'We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn.’
Like her subjects, the Queen has faced a multitude of difficulties this year, but has remained as an icon of stability and national unity at a time of disruptive and often disturbing change.
As the poet Philip Larking once wrote of her: 'In times when nothing stood / but worsened, or grew strange / there was one constant good: / she did not change.'
Earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their plans to step down as working royals, with the Queen agreeing to a 12-month trial period, leaving the door open for Harry to return to the royal family.
Ahead of their departure, the couple were told to drop their 'Sussex Royal' label, after the Queen and senior officials agreed it was no longer tenable for the couple to keep the word 'royal' in their 'branding'.
It was decided that Harry would retain his military ranks of major, lieutenant commander and squadron leader but would not use his honorary military positions. He has also remained sixth in line to the throne.
Yesterday, the historian Sally Bedell Smith called the Queen's handling of the royal row 'decisive and firm' but also 'humane', and believed that the measured response is similar to that of her reaction to Diana's death in 1997.
Among the myriad challenges faced by the Queen this year was the scandal surrounding her son Prince Andrew's friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffery Epstein.
Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew would be stepping back from royal duties for the 'foreseeable future' in November following his disastrous attempt to clear his name in a BBC interview.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre has told lawyers she was employed as a 'sex slave' and forced to sleep with the Duke after being trafficked to him in London at least three times when she was 17. He vehemently denies this.
When the pandemic hit Britain, Bedell Smith said Her Majesty saw herself as a source of stability for the nation, and once again praised the speed at which the monarch adapted to the challenges the Covid crisis brought.
She said that much of the work the Queen does behind the scenes goes unnoticed, and that oddly the pandemic has given a deeper understanding of the monarchy, with 'intimate' Zoom calls from Balmoral and Windsor.
The academic also credited other members of the royal family including the Wessexes and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with stepping up during the pandemic.
The Queen, 94, spoke of the coming of 'light and hope' embodied in the birth of Christ as she gave her annual Christmas message at a time when many of her subjects remain apart from their families due to the pandemic
Troops in regalia herald the start of the Queen's speech, which is pre-recorded. Addressing her subjects in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth, the Queen paid a moving tribute to the heroes of the Covid pandemic
The Queen is a devout Christian, and much of the speech drew on Biblical references, in particular the Christian vision of the baby Jesus as 'the light of the world'.
Her Majesty dons Queen Mother's Shell Brooch while an unseen photo of Prince Philip takes pride of place on the desk
Her Majesty donned a brooch which belonged to the Queen Mother while an unseen framed photograph of Prince Philip could be seen placed on her desk during her annual Christmas broadcast at Windsor Castle.
The monarch, 94, opted for the Mother’s Shell Brooch, which, as the name suggests, takes the shape of a shell made of rows of diamonds and singular pearl, while several strings of diamonds in varying lengths dangle underneath.
It was designed by Lord Courtauld-Thomson, son of a famous Scottish inventor, and made in 1919 in London by The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co., Ltd, before being left to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, in 1944 by his sister, Winifred Hope Thomson.
A prized possession, it was worn by the Queen Mother during her 100th birthday celebrations, and was left to the monarch when her mother passed away in 2002.
Since then, Her Majesty has worn it to several special occasions - including the unveiling of the Queen Mother’s statue and Zara Phillips’ wedding to Mike Tindall.
The monarch, who donned a purple ensemble, paired her outfit with pearl earrings and a trio of pearl necklaces as she addressed a turbulent 12 months.
Pearls were the Queen’s first ‘serious’ piece of jewellery. When her grandfather George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1935, he gave both his granddaughters pearl necklaces.
The then nine-year-old Princess Elizabeth received a necklace of three rows of perfectly matched pearls; Princess Margaret, four years younger, got a two-row version.
Among the collection Elizabeth owns today are two stunning necklaces; the 18th-century Queen Anne pearl necklace and the 50-pearl Queen Caroline necklace, both given as a wedding present from her father.
An unseen photo of a casual looking Prince Philip wearing a light blue jumper and smart collared shirt was also been placed on the desk, while unlike last year, there were no photographs of her grandchildren or other family members in display.
She also made reference to the tapestry of other faiths found across Britain and the Commonwealth and how they also drew on the idea of light as a source of hope.
'Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood - light brings hope,' she said.
'For Christians, Jesus is 'the light of the world', but we can't celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.
'Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity - despite social distancing.'
The Queen invoked the tale of the Good Samaritan, which tells of a traveller who was stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road before being rescued by an outsider.
'Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan,' she said. 'The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. 'This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
'Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
'The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.'
Continuing the analogy of personal sacrifice to help others, she referred to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, which contains the bones of an unidentified WWI soldier alongside earth from the Flanders battlefields.
The Queen continued: 'In November, we commemorated another hero - though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn't a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War - a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
'The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That's the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
'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'd really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.
'If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.'
She concluded her speech with the eternal image of the Star of Bethlehem, which brought the wise men and the shepherds to the barn where the baby Jesus lay.
'The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus's birth. Let the light of Christmas - the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope - guide us in the times ahead.
'It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.'
Happier times: This year the Queen has witnessed the break-up of her family, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving Britain for Los Angeles. Their relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (left, with Prince Charles) has also soured. This image was taken on Christmas Day before the church service at Sandringham in 2017
Among the myriad challenges faced by the Queen this year was the scandal surrounding her son Prince Andrew's friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffery Epstein (who he is seen with in New York in 2010)
Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children, Prince George, left, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, centre, at Anmer Hall, Anmer. Pictured, the Cambridge's 2020 Christmas card
Prince Charles and Camilla took to Clarence House social media and wrote: 'Wishing you all a happy Christmas and here’s to a better New Year! Christmas tree'
William and Kate say it 'doesn't feel right' to wish nation a merry Christmas this year - as Charles and Camilla share a jolly snap
Prince William and Kate Middleton have said it 'doesn't feel right' to wish the nation a merry Christmas this year and are instead 'wishing for a better 2021' - before sending their thoughts to those who are 'spending today alone', writes Chloe Morgan.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have said it 'doesn't feel right' to wish the nation a merry Christmas this year and are instead 'wishing for a better 2021'
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 38, penned: 'Wishing a merry Christmas doesn’t feel right this year, so instead we’re wishing for a better 2021. For those struggling today, there is support available: @GiveUsAShout @MindCharity @samaritans @theCALMzone @TheSilverLineUK @OurFrontlineUK @NHSCharities.'
'This Christmas our thoughts are with those of you who are spending today alone, those of you who are mourning the loss of a loved one, and those of you on the frontline who are still mustering the energy to put your own lives on hold to look after the rest of us.'
Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Camilla took to Clarence House social media and wrote: 'Wishing you all a happy Christmas and here’s to a better New Year! Christmas tree,' alongside a star emoji.