After Camillagate, a fire at Windsor Castle & marriage problems in her family, Queen Elizabeth II dubbed this
The Final Jeopardy category for Thursday, January 30, 2025, was “Latin Phrases.” The clue presented to contestants read:
“After Camillagate, a fire at Windsor Castle & marriage problems in her family, Queen Elizabeth II dubbed this.”
What is Annus Horribilis?
The correct response was “Annus horribilis.” This Latin phrase, which translates to “horrible year,” was famously used by Queen Elizabeth II to describe the events of 1992, a particularly turbulent period for the British monarchy.
The phrase “annus horribilis” is derived from Latin and serves as a counterpart to the more commonly known term “annus mirabilis,” which means “wonderful year.” Queen Elizabeth II publicly used the phrase on November 24, 1992, in a speech at Guildhall in London, marking the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Addressing an audience that included political and public figures, the Queen reflected on the difficulties that had affected her family and the monarchy that year.
During the speech, she acknowledged that 1992 had been a year fraught with personal and institutional challenges, and she notably remarked, “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.” The use of this phrase underscored the extent of the setbacks and controversies that had unfolded in a short period, affecting both the royal family’s public image and its internal stability.
The Events That Defined 1992 as an “Annus Horribilis”
The year 1992 was particularly challenging for Queen Elizabeth II due to a series of public scandals, family difficulties, and an unexpected disaster. One of the most damaging incidents was the Camillagate scandal, which involved the release of a private phone conversation between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. The recording, which had been made in 1989 but surfaced in 1992, contained intimate exchanges that caused a major scandal and intensified public scrutiny of Charles’s troubled marriage to Princess Diana. The controversy further diminished the credibility of the future king and damaged the reputation of the monarchy.
In addition to this, three of the Queen’s children experienced significant marital problems in the same year. In March, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson announced their separation, which was followed by the divorce of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips in April. Later in the year, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially separated, marking the beginning of a long and highly publicized period of royal family turmoil that would eventually lead to their divorce in 1996. The repeated breakdown of royal marriages fuelled negative media coverage and prompted discussions about the modern relevance of the monarchy.
Adding to the Queen’s difficulties, a devastating fire broke out at Windsor Castle on November 20, 1992. The fire, which started in Queen Victoria’s Private Chapel, spread rapidly through the historic building, causing severe damage to over 100 rooms, including St. George’s Hall and the Grand Reception Room. The restoration process took several years and cost an estimated £36.5 million, adding to the already mounting pressures on the royal household. The event was particularly symbolic of the troubles of the year, as Windsor Castle was one of the Queen’s most cherished residences and a key symbol of British heritage.
The Lasting Impact of “Annus Horribilis”
Queen Elizabeth II’s decision to publicly acknowledge the hardships of 1992 was a rare moment of personal reflection in a reign that was otherwise defined by stoicism and restraint. By using the phrase “annus horribilis,” she openly admitted that the monarchy had faced one of its most challenging years, a statement that resonated with both supporters and critics of the institution.
Despite the difficulties of 1992, Queen Elizabeth II continued her reign for another three decades, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. The phrase “annus horribilis” became permanently associated with her speech and was referenced again during other turbulent times in her reign, including the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997, the loss of Prince Philip in 2021, and the controversies surrounding Prince Andrew and Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties
